KUCHING: Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has personally donated RM50,000 to Mohamad Syafiq Mohamad Ali Hanaffiah, a hero who suffered severe burns while trying to save a boy from a fire last year. The Sarawak Premier made the contribution after learning of Mohamad Syafiq’s situation through media reports.
The contribution was presented by Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman, his chief political secretary, to Mohamad Syafiq’s mother Julia Jemat at their home on Thursday (Jan 11).
Fazzruddin told reporters that “Syafiq is a hero who tried to save a fire victim. As a result of his attitude of putting the lives of others ahead of his own, he suffered serious injuries. This caught the attention of the Premier, who called me two days ago and directed me to hand over his personal contribution to Syafiq for his selflessness.”
ALSO READ: Hero recovering in pain
Fazzrudin also mentioned that Abang Johari was deeply concerned and touched by the plight of Mohamad Syafiq and his family, as his younger sibling also needed medication regularly.
The hope is that the contribution can help ease the family’s burden and assist in Mohamad Syafiq’s recovery. He called for all Sarawakians and Malaysians to pray for his recovery and for his family to be strong in facing this challenge.
Mohamad Syafiq rushed into a burning house at the Batu Kawa People’s Housing Project on Aug 28 to try to save a child who was trapped inside. He was unable to rescue the six-year-old boy and sustained third-degree burns over 75% of his body.
While he was discharged from hospital in November, he is still undergoing burn rehabilitation at home with all costs sponsored by Teddy Medical Clinic. In December, the then-Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs and Special Duties) Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali presented him with the Bintang Gagah Berani Pertahanan Awam award for his heroic deed.
According to his mother Julia, 56, Mohamad Syafiq’s wounds needed to be dressed every two days, an extremely painful process, and he would also need physiotherapy.
Fazzrudin also mentioned that Batu Kitang assemblyman Datuk Lo Khere Chiang and state Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah have visited the family to offer assistance.
“The state government is concerned about the people’s welfare. We want to ensure that no one who needs help is left out. But we also need people to provide information to the relevant agencies so that assistance can be properly channelled,” Fazzrudin said.
