Well done: Dr Wan Azizah (centre) chatting with Muhammad Asri as Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri (left) looks on during the National Children’s Day 2024 celebration. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: A heartwarming tale of bravery took the spotlight at the National Children’s Day 2024 celebration, where Muhammad Asri Rosli, 14, was honoured with the Pingat Hang Tuah Award.
Amid cheers and applause, he stood tall, as his act in saving a friend from a life-threatening electric shock left a deep impression on all present.
Recalling the fateful day on Oct 2, Muhammad Asri shared how it started with an ordinary game of sepak takraw at his secondary school in Bukit Beruntung, Selangor.
“I saw my friend, Syamil Faris Johari, trembling while holding a metal object.
“I pulled at him several times before he let it go.
“After that, I immediately held him and felt an electric current running through his body,” he said.
Without hesitation, Muhammad Asri rushed Syamil to their physical education teacher’s room, an instinctive move that ultimately saved his friend’s life.
The young hero’s mother, Zuraini Harun, 49, beamed with pride as she spoke about her son’s selflessness.
“He’s the sixth of eight siblings and part of a set of triplets. Of the three, he’s always been the one who sacrifices the most and is the smartest. What he did makes us incredibly proud,” she said.
For his bravery, Muhammad Asri received RM5,000 in cash, a certificate of appreciation and a trophy.
The celebration also highlighted the talents and dreams of other young achievers.
Eight-year-old Aayushi Yeogeswaran, a budding author, was honoured with the Special Children’s Award for her remarkable storytelling.
Inspired to write at the tender age of four, Aayushi revealed how her parents nurtured her love of reading.
“My parents started reading to me, and by the age of four, I could read on my own. Since then, I’ve read about 3,000 books,” she said.
Her passion for reading evolved into writing, with four books already published and another one set to launch on Dec 2.
Aayushi’s mother, C. Devagi, 34, explained how they recognised her daughter’s potential early on.
“We saw her interest in reading, so we bought her many books, especially factual ones. We will always support her dreams, whether it’s to be a teacher or a writer,” she said.
The event, officiated by former deputy prime minister and Bandar Tun Razak MP Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, celebrated the exceptional achievements of children across various fields.
Seven awards were presented, including the Pingat Hang Tuah Award, the Special Children’s Award, the Academic Excellence Award and the OKU Excellence Award.
