PUTRAJAYA: The courage of Pingat Hang Tuah recipient, Altamis Faiz, continues to receive recognition from the Fire and Rescue Department today.
Altamis Faiz Shahrul Lizam, 9, a third-year student at SK Desa Aman, Desa Coalfields in Sungai Buloh, saved six family members trapped in a fire on Sept 4.
The Certificate of Appreciation as a 'Fire Hero' was presented to Altamis Faiz by Malaysia Fire and Rescue Department director, Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, as a token of appreciation for his commendable actions at the 2024 Fire and Rescue Department Annual Parade at its headquarters, here.
Altamis said he was touched to receive the second award and never expected any reward as long as his family members were safe from the incident. According to him, the incident taught him not to panic in emergencies, while continuously learning about rescue procedures.
He added that the experience of saving his family members would be a lifelong memory, and if not for his intervention, the fate of his family would probably be very different now.
"This parade also serves as motivation and injects spirit to join the fire brigade one day," he said when interviewed here today.
In the fire incident on Sept 4, Altamis' two-story terrace house, occupied by his family in Sungai Buloh, was nearly completely destroyed, with over 70 per cent of it engulfed in flames.
During the incident, he bravely took the house keys from downstairs before going back up to his room to get his three-year-old sibling sleeping there. He then woke up his parents and older brother and two younger siblings in their bedroom.
Meanwhile, Hisham said, at this ceremony, the Fire and Rescue Department also honoured nine recipients from various agencies and a department member with certificates of appreciation. He mentioned that it aims to recognise their services and courage in saving the lives of the public.
"The contributions made are significant as they help enhance the Fire and Rescue Department's professionalism to the community," he said.