JOHOR BARU: Cyclist marshal Muhamad Izad Zolzali has been engaging with mosquito bike teenagers and children for the past six years through his work in the Happy Riders Connect organisation.
The 31-year-old faithfully chauffeurs these under privileged children to cycling activities and encourages them to practice safe riding at all times.
"Through the Happy Riders Connect organisation, I mentor more than 10 youngsters who used to be involved in the mosquito bike menace.
"I take them to our cycling activities several times a month. We have been taking them under our wings and treating them like our younger brothers.
"We motivate them in their studies and guide them on the proper ways to enjoy their passion for cycling," said Izad, who is an officer with the Agriculture Department.
He said Johor Baru's cycling community, which was estimated to number about 10,000 people, were concerned about mosquito bike youths especially after the road accident that killed eight teenage cyclists here on Feb 18.
"The tragedy affected cyclists the most. It motivated us to continue engaging with these youths to prevent them from being involved in the illegal activity," said Izad after receiving the Public Safety (Individual) accolade at the 4th Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA) 2017 ceremony on Thursday night here.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (Irda) chief executive Datuk Ismail Ibrahim presented the awards to nine individuals, 10 non-governmment organisations and two companies for outstanding contributions to the community.
A total of 237 nominnations for individuals and groups were submitted for the awards, which was co-organised by the Iskandarian newspaper Frost & Sullivan and Irda.
Izad attended the award with two of his junior members in Happy Riders Connect - Muhammad Aris Rozaiman, 18, and Muhammad Zulhilmi Hamdan, 19.
The organisation's co-founder Stephen Ngu said that Izad was among the cyclists involved in a successful mentoring programme for youths.
"The boys who he helped six years ago were 'budak lajak' on fixie bike, who used to ride without brakes, helmet and lights.
"Today, these boys are 16 and 17-year-old teenagers and have become exemplary junior marshals," said Ngu.
Meanwhile, members of Johor Baru Breast Cancer Support Group were grateful for receiving the Tun Musa Hitam Social Hero award, which was IMSHA's top honour.
The group's vice president Shehah Abdul Rahman and its former president Doris Wee accepted the award on behalf of the group's 300 members and volunteers.
Wee, 64, who is a 20-year survivor of breast cancer dedicated the award to her members for their dedication in reaching out to breast cancer survivors and care givers.
"As a breast cancer survivor, every day is a blessing and a gift for me. Since our organisation was set up 14 years ago, we worked hard to care and highlight the cause of this illness.
"Our members and volunteers work very hard, and I am very proud of them. Winning award means that we must live up to people's expectations of us," said Wee.
Among the other organisations which took home awards were the Johor Malaysian Nature Society, Kiwanis Careheart Centre for Intelectually Disabled, JB Tracer: Johor Baru Traffic, Crime and Community Service Report Facebook and Japan Graduates Association of Malaysian-Malaysian Southern Branch.