A couple’s act of bravery in rescuing two boys from a burning shop has earned them recognition from the National Press Club-Macrokiosk Muhibbah Awards. Convenience store worker, Amirul Husni Afendey, 25, and his wife, factory worker Nur Syarina Muhammad Noor, 23, were selected as the winners for August after helping a man and his two young sons escape a shophouse that was on fire. The National Press Club of Malaysia (NPC) president, Datuk Ahirudin Attan, commended the couple for their selflessness and spirit of muhibbah in assisting others. He stated, “The winners truly deserve this award as the judges acknowledge and reward their brave efforts to help a fellow human being in distress. They did so without expecting any recognition or reward. Amirul and Syarina have exemplified the muhibbah spirit that we aim to highlight and promote.”
NPC and Macrokiosk launched this award series in April to honor individuals, groups, or organizations that best embody the spirit of muhibbah in Malaysia. Panels of media editors take turns assessing the nominees for the award. Chief Executive Officer of Macrokiosk, Datuk Kenny Goh, expressed his delight in observing that their collaboration with NPC is reviving the muhibbah spirit and bringing attention to noble acts like Amirul and Syarina’s, which often go unnoticed. He hopes this award will inspire others and foster muhibbah as a way of life for future generations in Malaysia.
Amirul expressed his gratitude towards the NPC and Macrokiosk for the award and stated, “We never expected our actions to be recognized in such a manner. This award will motivate us to continue assisting those in need and hopefully inspire others to embrace the muhibbah way as true Malaysians.”
The incident took place in Pagoh, Johor on the morning of July 6. Amirul had accompanied Syarina to wait for a factory bus on the main road across from a row of shops. Suddenly, Syarina noticed black smoke emanating from one of the shophouses owned by a local named Zamirul Suahimi. Moments later, Zamirul appeared at an upper-floor window of the shophouse, seeking help while carrying his two sons, Muhammad Firas Syahmi, 10, and Muhammad Harith, four. Without hesitating, Amirul and Syarina rushed to catch the children as they jumped, ensuring their safe landing. However, when Zamirul jumped from the same floor, he sustained injuries to his hand from colliding with a zinc structure. Additionally, he suffered burns to his ear, eyelid, mouth, and swelling around his neck. He received medical treatment at the Sultanah Fatimah Specialist Hospital in Muar.
The incident resulted in the destruction of ten shophouses, including a sundry shop, two motorcycle shops, a home appliances shop, and a house. The NPC-Macrokiosk Muhibbah Award carries a cash prize of RM2,000, a certificate, and vouchers from popular brands such as Tealive, Jaya Grocer, and llaollao.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
