Boy who rescued brother from fire receives Hang Tuah Medal award

A six-year-old boy who rescued his younger brother when a blaze tore through their house in Besut, Terengganu last year, received the Hang Tuah Medal Award for his heroic act.

Mohd Shawal Mohd Shukri, a student at Tadika Kemas Kampung Kubang Depu received the award during a celebration held in conjunction with the national-level World Senior Citizens' and Children's Day at Dewan Wawasan near here Saturday.

His father, Mohd Shukri Mohamad Nor, 37, said the incident happened at their home in Kampung Kubang Depu about 11.30am on Aug 3, last year.

"He pulled his brother, Mohd Syaqir Mohd Shukri, four, out of the burning house after he realised a bedroom in the house was ablaze.

"Mohd Syawal took his brother to their grandparents' house which was about 10 metres away before running a distance of about one kilometre to look for me.

"When the fire broke out, the two brothers were playing in a room. My wife and I were out with our youngest child, aged three. I am very grateful that they are safe and proud that Mohd Syawal rescued his brother," he said.

The blaze left Mohd Shukri and his family homeless. Total damage was estimated at RM28,000.

Mohd Shukri said the family was very fortunate to acquire a new home with the help of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department.

Mohd Syawal's award comprised a trophy, certificate and RM5,000 which would be set aside for his future education.

Meanwhile, former Kedah mufti, Tan Sri Sheikh Abdul Majid Mohd Noor received the 2014 Senior Citizen Special Award, whilst former information ministry deputy secretary-general (1976), Tan Sri Wan Mahmood Pawan Teh, 84, received the Gold Award.

Met by reporters, Wan Mahmood who is still active in various voluntary organisations, said: "This award will encourage other senior citizens to continue to serve and be active in their chosen field of work."