By JACK WONG

KUCHING, MALAYSIA - Tan Wan Chew, who lost her three children in a hornet attack more than three weeks ago, is still being hospitalised at the Sarawak General Hospital.

The 29-year-old mother is in a semi-conscious state, one week after being moved out of the intensive care unit.

'She is in a stable condition. She opens her eyes occasionally but is still unable to talk,' said Tan's cousin at the hospital ward yesterday.

Tan, who was stung all over her body, is still unable to consume any solid food.

A machine is helping her to breathe through a tube that is attached to an opening in her throat.

The cousin, who did not identify herself, said Tan's injuries had significantly improved.

She said Tan could be seen moving her limbs and body frequently.

Tan's mother, who also did not want to be identified, said her daughter was apparently feeling uncomfortable and that was why she kept moving. 'We are hopeful that she will gain full consciousness and recover fully soon,' said the cousin.

Tan is unaware of the deaths of her three children, Chen Sze Ting, eight; Sze Ying, six; and Chun Jie, three. They were cremated two weeks ago.

Tan's younger brother Lan Chia, 11, who was among the five attacked by the hornets on a hill near their house in Sungai Moyan, has recovered.

The five were going for a late afternoon stroll when they were suddenly swarmed and stung by the hornets.The hive has already been destroyed.