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JOINT STATEMENT
Wednesday 17th Dec 2014

AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crashed : In memory of Kevin Alexander Soetjipto

The Council of International Students Australia (CISA) joins with the Monash University International
Students Service (MUISS) to express its condolences to the family and friends of the late Kevin
Alexander Soetjipto.
As an international student enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce program at Monash Universitys
Clayton Campus, Kevin was travelling with family to Singapore for a holiday when their plane crashed
over the Java Sea on Sunday, 28th December 2014.
As a fellow Indonesian and schoolmate of Kevin, the international community at Monash and I are
deeply saddened by the loss. Kevin is a valued member of the student community and I can only
hope that in the days to come, his immediate family and friends find peace and closure over this
unfortunate incident, said Nina Khairina, President of MUISS.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Melbourne and MUISS held a multi-faith
prayer session on Wednesday, 31st December 2014. The prayers were led by Consulate General
Dewi Savitri Wahab with over 50 individuals, including family and cousins of Kevin Soetjipto in
attendance.
Monash University has also committed to providing counseling and support for students and staff
members affected by this incident. Staff and students requiring this service are encouraged to get in
touch via 1800 350 359 or +613 8620 5300 for those who are currently overseas.
Too many lives within the Australian and the wider international student community here have been
lost in 2014. As we step into 2015, let us honour Kevin and the lives of the many other victims by
acknowledging the fragility of life and in the short span of time that we have, let us be constantly
accepting and supportive of differences amongst one another, said Thomson Chng, National
President of CISA.

Media Contacts:
Thomson Chng
National President, Council of International Students Australia
pres@cisa.edu.au or 0425 235 288
Dion Jeremy Lee
National Public Relations Officer, Council of International Students Australia
publicrelations@cisa.edu.au or 0466 029 642

Council of International Students Australia (CISA)

PO Box 24134, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia
Web: www.cisa.edu.au