Growing up in Alor Gajah, Melaka, Azwan Omar, now 32, had ambitions of becoming a policeman, soldier or pilot.
But he ended up obtaining a certificate in IT at Kolej Komuniti Masjid Tanah, picked up wiring and plumbing skills, learnt how to navigate a boat and became a fishing trip organiser.
A combination of these skills proved useful during the massive floods that inundated Taman Sri Muda in Shah Alam, Selangor, in December 2021.
Upon seeing the plight of flood victims on social media, the part-time delivery rider borrowed his parents’ 12-year-old Perodua Viva, strapped his inflatable boat onto the car roof and drove to Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, to pick up a borrowed eight horsepower outboard motor before heading to Shah Alam with only RM50 in his pocket.
He estimated ferrying some 30 people a day for the six days he was in Taman Sri Muda.
Despite having limited funds, Azwan still bought buns and mineral water to store on his boat in case any of the rescued got hungry.
“While driving to Shah Alam, it did not cross my mind that I might not have enough money for fuel to return. When that realisation dawned, I could only hope that luck would be on my side.
“This is because I believe happy endings always happen in the wake of good intentions,” he said.
Soon after, Azwan discovered he had become an online sensation after residents posted pictures of him ferrying people with his boat.
“Well-wishers gave me cash – some RM5, others RM10 – and I was able to collect RM300 to pay for my journey home.
When he finally reached his home in Melaka, donations from well-wishers had exceeded RM10,000.
“That was when I thought, since it would be the donors’ wish to help flood victims, I went to Pahang which was also experiencing severe flooding.
“Using the donors’ funds, I bought pillows, mattresses and vitamin supplements for the flood victims there,” said Azwan.
After that, he told the public to stop donating to his personal account.
However, he continues to do charity work as president of Pertubuhan Gerakan Kebajikan Abang V-Va.
But now he uses a Mitsubishi Triton, given by donors, for flood rescue and other charity-based missions.
To preserve his parents’ car, an automotive service centre sponsored the repairs for his parents’ vehicle in April 2022.
For his efforts, Azwan was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (PJK) by Yang-di Pertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam in August 2022.
Since then, Azwan often finds himself being invited to events to share his experiences.
It was at one such event that he met his wife. The couple tied the knot in October 2022.
Azwan, who has three older siblings, said: “I do not come from a well-to-do family, but my parents have always instilled in us the importance of helping others.
“All life is precious. What will happen to society if everyone dismisses problems just because they are not affected?”
For more stories go to StarSpecial: National Day 2024
