TEEN WHO SAVED TWO DISABLED UNCLES IN FIRE RECEIVES HANG TUAH MEDAL

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 23 (Bernama) -- Fourteen-year-old Mohamad Amirul Asyraf Khairul Azahar has been awarded the 2025 Hang Tuah Medal for his extraordinary bravery in rescuing his two uncles with disabilities from a house fire in Felda Kerteh 2, Terengganu, last April.

The top honour, presented in conjunction with the 2025 National Children’s Day celebration, came with RM5,000 in cash and RM3,000 in Amanah Saham Nasional Bumiputera (ASNB) unit trust. The award was presented by the Prime Minister’s wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

The eldest of four siblings, Mohamad Amirul said he never imagined that his actions that day would be recognised as exceptional.

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“I’m deeply touched. Out of so many children, I was chosen for this top award. I hope this inspires other children to be brave in facing life’s challenges,” said the teenager, who aspires to become a firefighter.

Recalling the incident, the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Rasau student said he awoke in his grandmother’s living room after feeling intense heat, only to see flames rapidly spreading from his uncle’s bedroom.

“It was around 10 am. I rushed to the room and saw my Pak Long, who has a learning disability, just staring at the fire. I shouted for him to move and guided him to the kitchen so he could exit through the back door.

“At the same time, my Pak Ngah, also a person with a learning disability, was absorbed in playing with Lego and didn’t notice the fire. I called out to him and pulled his hand to get him out,” he recalled.

Mohamad Amirul said that in the chaos, he was focused solely on saving his uncles.

“The fire spread so fast and my grandmother’s house was destroyed. I’m grateful that even though we lost the home, all of us survived,” he said.

His father, Khairul Azhar Ismail, 38, said he is immensely proud of his son’s swift actions, which saved two lives.

“I was away at the time. He stepped up to protect the family. If he hadn’t been there, things might have turned out very differently.

“As a father, I hope his bravery and the recognition he has received will inspire other children to be courageous and to help others during emergencies,” he added, noting that his son is usually quiet but responsible and active in self-defence sports.

This year’s National Children’s Day celebration, attended by Deputy Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, also featured several other honours, including the Special Children’s Award, Academic Excellence Award, Cultural and Arts Excellence Award, Persons with Disabilities Excellence Award, Sports Excellence Award and the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) for Children Special Award.

Held under the theme Hari Ini, Suaraku, the celebration underscores Malaysia’s commitment to ensuring every child is heard, their potential valued and their rights protected, in line with the principles of Malaysia MADANI.

-- BERNAMA