"Nak ayah" (I want daddy), cried out Muhamad Meqa Al Asyraf (photo), a toddler just under two years upon seeing firemen dressed in their uniforms at Dewan Sutera of the Fire and Rescue Department headquarters in Putrajaya today for the 'Wira Merah' (Red Heroes) appreciation ceremony.

Muhamad Meqa is the youngest child of Mohd Fatah Hashim, a fireman who was among six personnel from the Water Rescue Unit that drowned during a search and rescue operation at the Taman Putra Perdana Mine in Puchong, Selangor on Oct. 3.

Mohd Fatah's widow Noor Nadia Kamaludin, 29,(photo, interviewed by reporters) said her son often looked out for his father, especially when he saw firemen in uniforms.

"As we were being brought here from our house by firemen, he (Muhamad Meqa) kept saying, "I want daddy, I want daddy".

“Maybe its because he always saw his father wearing the similar uniform," she told reporters when met after the ceremony.

At the event, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin presented donations from Tabung Wira Merah fund to the next-of-kin of the six firemen, who were also posthumously promoted from Grade KB19 to KB22.

In the incident on Oct 3, six personnel from the department's Water Rescue Unit drowned during a search and rescue mission for Muhammad Ilham Fahmy Mohammad Azzam, 17, who was feared drowned after falling into the mining pool.

Expressing her gratitude to the government and the department, Noor Nadia said the contribution will be used for the education of her two children in the future.

Meanwhile, at a press conference, Zuraida said all next-of-kin of the six personnel received insurance and welfare benefits from the relevant departments and associations ranging between RM164,000 to RM289,000.

"In addition, the Federal Government will also contribute RM20,000 to each family.

“Apart from that, the Selangor state government will also contribute RM20,000," she said.

Zuraida said the special committee to investigate the case will begin meeting next week.

- Bernama