GEORGE TOWN: Standing proud with his medal, Sergeant Mazlan Abdul Rahman was touched to receive the Pingat Gagah Perwira for saving two lives earlier this year.
The soldier, who is attached to the Second Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, jumped off the Penang Bridge to save two people from drowning and also performed CPR on the victims.
Mazlan was the only recipient of the medal for this year’s category, honouring him for his bravery during the state awards, medals and honours in conjunction with the 75th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
Mazlan said he jumped into the water to help as he could swim and wanted to help.
"I never looked at it as a big deal, it was more about responding to people who needed help.
"I never imagined receiving such appreciation but it feels nice," he said when met outside the hall during the first day of the Penang investiture ceremony held at Dewan Sri Pinang on Saturday (July 27).
During the ceremony, it was announced that the 35-year-old had risked his life to help save two people who fell off the Penang Bridge on January 16 this year (2024).
Mazlan in January saved two people after they fell off the Penang Bridge by jumping into the sea upon hearing cries for help from beneath the bridge.
He is one of the 1,346 recipients of the state awards this year.
Topping the list is Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang, receiving the Darjah Utama Pangkuan Negeri, which comes with the title “Datuk Seri Utama” the highest state award given to anyone in Penang.
The ceremony which began on Saturday (July 27) will resume from Tuesday (July 30) to Thursday (Aug 1).
