Well-loved Hwa Chong teacher among the missing

SINGAPORE — A scholarship holder from Indonesia studying in Singapore, she was sensitive to the needs of newcomers living in boarding school like herself, playing big sister to those adjusting to a new environment.

Described as friendly, vivacious and always willing to help, Maria Florentina Widodo, now a biology teacher at Hwa Chong Institution, was on board the missing Singapore-bound AirAsia flight QZ8501, which departed Surabaya on Sunday.

Her Singaporean boyfriend, Mr Andy Paul Chen, was among those who went to the holding area set aside for passengers’ next-of-kin at Changi Airport Terminal 2 yesterday for information and support.

“I’m flying to Surabaya to see my girlfriend’s family,” he told reporters in Mandarin.

Ms Widodo, or Tina to her friends, graduated from National Junior College (NJC) in 2007, where she served as a student councillor and was actively involved in its guitar club. She went on to study at the National University of Singapore, where she was a member of the Catholic Students’ Society.

Said a former NJC schoolmate Yu Chenxi, 24: “She was extremely kind, sensitive to others’ needs, decisive when she needed to and visionary ... When we lived in boarding school together, she again demonstrated her incredible leadership ability and affectionate personality when she served on the boarders’ council. You always see her organising all sorts of events for the rest of the community.”

A spokesperson from Hwa Chong Institution said: “We are following developments closely. Our thoughts and prayers are with Florentina’s family during this difficult time and we are currently in touch with them to render our support and assistance.”

Others who trickled into the holding area — from as early as 8am — included a maid agent for Indonesian Yuni Astutik, 40. She had returned to Indonesia to attend a wedding a month ago. Ms Tracey Png, director of Noah Employment Agency, said: “(Ms Astutik) has worked here for four years. She was supposed to land in Singapore (on Sunday) .... but I learnt about the missing flight yesterday.”

Meanwhile, the brother of British national Choi Chi-Man, who was also on board the flight with his two-year-old Singaporean daughter, was reported as saying his family was preparing for the worst.

The Daily Mail newspaper quoted Mr Choi Chi-Wai as saying: “It doesn’t look good at the moment. I am sure if there was anything to find, they would have found it by now. It is a very tricky time at the moment. We are just holding together for my parents. They don’t know what to make of it.”

Yesterday evening, the authorities said AirAsia had arranged for another 11 relatives to fly to Surabaya yesterday, in addition to 16 on Sunday.