5 Malaysians who have inspired you in 2020

2020 has indeed been a rough year for everyone in the way the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on our daily lives.

Most of us were called to stay home with the implementation of the various phases of the Movement Control Order (MCO) to eventually embrace new norms which have never been practised before.

Nevertheless, some have reached tremendous heights while a few others touched our hearts, inspiring all of us to make the best out of a tough situation.

Here are five Malaysians who have inspired us throughout 2020, a tumultuous and challenging year that we are going to say goodbye to in just a few days:

1. Dr Noor Hisham bin Abdullah, Malaysia’s Director-General of Health

If there is one icon for the year 2020, it is the person who would appear on our national TV almost every day to provide us daily updates on COVID-19 - Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Dr Noor Hisham is an endocrine surgeon and has been serving as the Director-General of Health Malaysia since March 2013.

His exemplary leadership, specifically in handling Malaysia’s COVID-19 pandemic, has not only gained him attention at home but also overseas.

In April, the China Global TV Network (CGTN) had recognised Dr Noor Hisham as among the “top doctors” of the world, along with the US' infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci and New Zealand’s director-general of health Ashley Bloomfield, for his approach in handling the pandemic.

He has also received multiple awards for his service to the nation, including the National University of Malaysia’s Medical Faculty "2019 Most Notable Alumni" and the Brand Laureate’s "Outstanding Brand Leadership Award 2020".

He was also awarded the distinguished title of “Tan Sri” in August in conjunction with the King’s birthday.

Dr Noor Hisham has become the nation’s role model that he even appeared as an animated character along with characters from the BoBoiBoy franchise in a public service announcement to remind Malaysians to take steps to prevent COVID-19!

2. Jocelyn Yow, Mayor in California

25-year-old Jocelyn Yow has made history by becoming the youngest woman of colour to be elected a mayor in California, United States.

A mother to a six-month-old baby boy, Yow was born to a Vietnamese mom and a Malaysian father who moved to the United States in the 1990’s.

““In 1996, we had to move to Malaysia when my paternal grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, and I ended up spending 10+ years there, allowing me to learn more about our family history, heritage, and culture,” Yow said on her Instagram page.

“I am honored to be my parents’ daughter, and I am proud to be a Malaysian Vietnamese Chinese American,” she added.

Yow graduated from UC Berkeley and is currently working on a masters degree in government at Harvard Extension. She was elected to the Eastvale city council in 2018 and was officially appointed as Mayor on December 10.

3. Dr Chan Yoke Fun, winner of the ASEAN-US Science Prize for Women 2020

Dr Chan Yoke-Fun is an Associate Professor and the Head of Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, at the University of Malaya (UM), Malaysia.

As an infectious disease expert, her research focused on enterovirus A71, an emerging virus that causes hand, foot and mouth disease commonly found in children. Her works include developing vaccines, antivirals and education tools for the highly preventable disease.

Chan started her career as a research scientist after completing BSc and PhD degrees at the University of Malaya.

She has won many accolades for her dedication and accomplishments including being a recipient of the L’Oréal-UNESCO for Women in Science Malaysia Fellowship (2014), one of L’Oréal-UNESCO International Rising Talent (2015), Young Women Leaders award Category Science and Technology, National Council of Women’s Organizations Malaysia (2015), Asian Women Entrepreneurs leadership award, Science and Environment (2019) and most recently the winner of the ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women 2020.

4. Nuraina Erieka Abdullah, awarded the Hang Tuah medal

Not many of us can be as brave as thirteen-year-old Nuraina Erieka Abdullah who saved her younger brother from their burning house.

Nuraina Erieka, who has learning disabilities, was awarded the Hang Tuah Medal for her selfless act of bravery during the 2020 National-level Children’s Day Celebration.

According to media reports, Nuraina Erieka, who had managed to save herself went back into her burning house to save his brother who was only a year and three months old, at Taman Anggerik Desa flat in Kuantan, Pahang last September.

The Hang Tuah Medal is an award given by the government to children under 18 for their extraordinary courage in saving human lives and properties which include their actions during emergencies and disasters.

5. Muhammad Syukur Khamis, Malaysia’s Mowgli

The world got to know of Muhammad Syukur Khamis or better known as “Malaysia’s Mogwli” or “Kampung Boy” for his affinity towards animals, specifically buffaloes.

Early last year, Syukur became an internet sensation after photos of him displaying his bond and love for his father’s buffaloes went viral on social media and captured the attention of many photographers — both local and foreign.

Photos of him taken by Mohd Nazri Sulaiman received awards and were even selected to be displayed at several international events.

Unfortunately, this year, the world was shocked by the death of nearly half of the buffaloes, among which were Syukur’s favourites, Semek and Tongkol.

Nevertheless, the adversity that hit the family did not dampen this boy’s spirit.

“I am still Budok Kuba (buffalo boy). This 'tsunami' strengthens the spirit and gives strength to me to continue working because I am confident that more good things will come later. "