Navy officer honoured for heroic rescue at Teluk Batik
The incident, which occurred at Teluk Batik beach, Perak, in August 2023, was recalled with full reverence today as the Executive Officer of KD Sri Indera Sakti was the sole recipient of the Bintang Jasa Perkasa Persekutuan (JPP) at the Federal Awards, Medals and Honours Investiture Ceremony in conjunction with the Official Birthday of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, at Istana Negara here today.
For Mohd Firdaus, 42, the award was not solely his, but a recognition of every hero and heroine of the nation who continue to serve the country and its people.
"This is also a recognition for the Royal Malaysian Navy in particular, and the Armed Forces (MAF) in general.
"I also dedicate this award to my family... when the incident happened, my wife and children were also at the scene," he told Bernama after the ceremony.
Recalling the incident, Mohd Firdaus, who was then spending leisure time with his family, said he never expected that day would become a life-changing moment for many, including himself.
While preparing to have a meal, he said his wife saw a boat carrying nine people almost capsizing, and in less than a minute, it overturned.
He added that the screams of the passengers and the cries of children after the boat overturned spurred him into action, drawing on his ten years of experience as a member of the Naval Special Warfare Force (Paskal).
"I mustered the courage to swim from the shore to the boat's location and handed over all the life jackets to the victims. I also helped to put life jackets on the two children of (Mohammad) Hafiz (Johari)," he said.
In the incident, Mohammad Hafiz's wife, Nurul Afiqah Abdullah Sani, was found trapped under the overturned boat and died while receiving treatment at Manjung Hospital. His sibling and two children, along with four other individuals, survived.
Mohd Firdaus said that although nearly two years had passed, the incident had left a profound impact on him.
He said he got to meet up with the family last year when he was invited to be a guest on a podcast programme held in Port Dickson, Negri Sembilan, in conjunction with the Armed Forces Day celebration.
"Only after the programme did he (Mohammad Hafiz) find out who had saved him and his family… I immediately went to meet him and his children in Parit Buntar. I also recently met them again in Langkawi during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA)… I brought them on a tour of the ship and the rest of the exhibition.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
03-07-2025
- The Sun
Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor launches RMN's second LCS ‘Raja Muda Nala'
LUMUT: The Tengku Permaisuri of Selangor, Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, presided over the launching and naming ceremony of the Royal Malaysian Navy's (RMN) second Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) at the RMN Base here. The vessel, named 'Raja Muda Nala,' signifies a crucial addition to Malaysia's naval capabilities. Accompanied by the Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, the ceremony included a traditional naval ritual where blessed water from nine Selangor mosques—representing each district—was poured onto the ship's bow. This age-old practice, rooted in naval heritage, symbolises the vessel's formal induction into RMN service. Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, and top military officials, including Chief of Defence Force Gen Tan Sri Mohd Nizam Jaffar and Navy Chief Admiral Tan Sri Dr Zulhelmy Ithnain, were present. Lumut Naval Shipyard (Lunas) CEO Azhar Jumaat also attended the event. The LCS program strengthens Malaysia's maritime defence, with 'Raja Muda Nala' poised to enhance operational readiness. The naming ceremony underscores RMN's commitment to modernising its fleet while preserving naval traditions. Meanwhile, Adly, when delivering the speech on behalf of Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, said the name Raja Muda Nala was chosen in honour of a renowned national warrior who led the people of Selangor in resisting Dutch control over the state. He said the name symbolises the determination, courage and fighting spirit of the warrior in defending the sovereignty of Selangor. 'In this context, the valour, struggle and bravery of Raja Muda Nala are seen as highly fitting and aligned with the capabilities of the Royal Malaysian Navy's Littoral Combat Ship, which is designed to face a wide range of threats in modern warfare,' he said. He also said the procurement of littoral combat ships is part of the RMN's strategic plan to enhance fleet readiness through the acquisition of high-tech, combat-capable assets with multi-mission capabilities to safeguard the country's maritime sovereignty. Adly noted that LCS 2 is a symbol of national pride as it is the first frigate-class ship to be fully constructed by a local company, Lunas. 'The construction of this ship began with the keel-laying ceremony on Feb 28, 2017. This achievement indirectly reflects the capabilities of local talents in realising the country's aspirations to compete in the global heavy industry and defence sector,' he said. 'The role of Lumut Naval Shipyard is also crucial in stimulating the growth of the national maritime industry, not only in defence but also in shipbuilding and repair, technology transfer and upskilling of local subcontractors,' he added. Previously, the first LCS (LCS 1) was launched in accordance with the contractual schedule on May 23, 2024. It began its Set-to-Work (STW) phase in May 2025 and is expected to undergo its maiden sea trial in December this year. LCS 2 previously completed its downslip process — being lowered into the water — on May 8. As of May 25, the overall progress of the construction of all five LCS stood at 72.43 per cent.
The Star
24-06-2025
- The Star
Navy rescues Indonesian fishermen adrift at sea
IPOH: The Royal Malaysian Navy has rescued two Indonesian fishermen who were adrift at sea for three days. A spokesman from the Navy's western fleet command in Lumut said that the fishermen are aged 23 and 25 and added that both were rescued on Monday (June 23) night. Their boat suffered an engine failure, leaving them adrift in rough seas since June 21. They had been at sea since June 19 to catch fish, according to the spokesman on Tuesday (June 24). The fishermen attempted to manually move their boat, reaching Pulau Jarak, about 72km from Kuala Perak, at midnight on Tuesday (June 24). Navy personnel stationed on the island assisted the fishermen, offering temporary shelter, food, basic help, and repairing their boat engine. "We've informed the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency about the incident for further action," the spokesman says. A Navy vessel, KM Malawali, escorted the fishermen out to sea. "We advise the maritime community to ensure their vessels are in good condition to prevent incidents," the spokesman added
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- Malay Mail
Peru gas workers unearth 1,000-year-old child mummy beneath Lima street
LIMA, June 20 — Peruvian gas workers this week found a thousand-year-old mummy while installing pipes in Lima, their company said, confirming the latest discovery of a pre-Hispanic tomb in the capital. The workers found the trunk of a huarango tree (a species native to coastal Peru), 'which served as a tomb marker in the past,' at a depth of 50cm, archaeologist Jesus Bahamonde, scientific coordinator of Calidda gas company, told reporters. The mummy of a boy aged between 10 and 15, was found at a depth of 1.2m, he added. 'The burial and the objects correspond to a style that developed between 1000 and 1200,' he said. The remains discovered on Monday were found 'in a sitting position, with the arms and legs bent,' according to Bahamonde. They were found in a shroud which also contained calabash gourds. Ceramic objects, including plates, bottles and jugs decorated with geometric figures and figures of fishermen, were found next to the mummy. The tomb and artefacts belong to the pre-Inca Chancay culture, which lived in the Lima area between the 11th and 15th centuries. They were discovered while gas workers were removing earth from an avenue in the Puente Piedra district of northern Lima. In Peru, utility companies must hire archaeologists when drilling the earth, because of the possibility of hitting upon heritage sites. Calidda has made more than 2,200 archaeological finds since 2004. Lima is home to over 500 archaeological sites, including dozens of 'huacas' as ancient cemeteries are known in the Indigenous Quechua language. — AFP
