KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — A gallant soldier who risked his life to save four teenagers from drowning in a lake in Puncak Alam on Sunday (November 24) has been promoted to Staff Sergeant.
The rank was awarded to Mohd Nor Khalid from the 41st Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial) Sungai Buloh Camp by Army Chief Gen Tan Sri Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan in a brief ceremony at Wisma Pertahanan today.
Commenting on Nor’s bravery, Hafizuddeain said the promotion was in appreciation and recognition of his services in saving civilian lives in emergencies.
“He took a big risk considering the situation at the time and thank God, all the victims were saved. His action required courage because a spontaneous act is not easy.
“His attitude and act should be an example to every member of the military and hopefully inspire all Malaysians,” he said at a press conference after the ceremony.
Recalling the day he saved the four teenagers, Nor said he was at home when a neighbour alerted him via WhatsApp at 12.30pm to an incident where a boat boarded by some teenagers in a lake near his house had capsized.
He rushed to the scene to find a crowd had formed near the lake, but that the authorities had not arrived yet.
According to residents, the teenagers were struggling to stay afloat in the water for almost 45 minutes after their canoe sank in the middle of the lake.
“At that moment, I thought about their dire straits, being in the lake for such a long time.
“By trusting in God, I dared myself because their lives were my priority. My own children also flashed across my mind and I am grateful that God made it easy to save them,” he said after the promotion ceremony.
Nor added that he swam for over 45 metres towards the victims before successfully saving them within 15 minutes by taking them one by one to the bank of the lake.
The heroic military personnel will be retiring next year after 20 years of service.
— Bernama
