KUALA LUMPUR: A soldier who risked his life to save a couple from drowning after falling from the Penang Bridge has been honoured for his bravery.
Sgt Mazlan Abdul Rahman (pic), 35, was the sole recipient of the Bintang Jasa Perkasa Persekutuan (JPP) during the federal awards ceremony held yesterday in conjunction with the official birthday of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Leveraging his expertise as a physical education and sports trainer, Sgt Mazlan, who has served in the army for 14 years, fearlessly jumped from the 20m-high bridge to rescue the pair.
Speaking to Bernama after the ceremony, Sgt Mazlan, who currently serves with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment at Sungai Ara Camp, Penang, expressed his gratitude and surprise at receiving the prestigious honour from the King.Recalling the night of the incident, Sgt Mazlan shared that he was on his way home to Sungai Petani when he encountered the situation.
“At that moment, my only thought was to save the victims,” he recounted.
Hailing from Kuala Nerang, Kedah, Sgt Mazlan had previously served in Kelantan before being transferred to Penang late last year.
In 2022, he participated in the Malbatt 850-9 peacekeeping mission in Lebanon.
The father of two boys, aged three and seven, had only recently recovered from a road accident on July 31, after which a surgery was carried out on his arm.
On July 27, Sgt Mazlan was awarded the Pingat Gagah Perwira at the investiture ceremony held in conjunction with the 75th birthday celebration of Penang Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
He was also promoted from corporal to sergeant in recognition of his bravery.
