Heroic soldier who saved 4 teens promoted to staff sergeant

A gallant soldier who risked his life to save four teenagers from drowning in a lake in Puncak Alam, Selangor last Sunday has been promoted to the rank of staff sergeant.

The rank was awarded to Mohd Nor Khalid from the 41st Royal Artillery Regiment (Ceremonial) Sungai Buloh Camp by army chief Muhammad Hafizuddeain Jantan in a brief ceremony at Wisma Pertahanan in Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

Commenting on Nor’s bravery, Hafizuddeain said the promotion was in appreciation and recognition of the services of military personnel in saving civilian lives in emergency situations.

“He took a big risk considering the situation at the time and thank God, all the victims were saved. His action required courage.

“His attitude and act should be an example to every member of the military and hopefully inspire all Malaysians,” Hafizuddeain said at a press conference after the ceremony.

Recalling the day he saved the four teenagers, Nor (above, centre) said he was at home when a neighbour alerted him via WhatsApp at 12.30pm to an incident where a boat carrying teenagers in a lake near his house had capsized.

He rushed to the scene to find a crowd had formed near the lake but the authorities had yet to arrive.

According to residents, the teenagers were struggling to stay afloat in the water for almost 45 minutes after their boat sank in the middle of the lake.

“At that moment, I thought about their dire straits, being in the lake for such a long time.

“I put my trust in God and dared myself because their lives were my priority. I am grateful that God made it easy to save them,” he said after the ceremony.

Nor said he swam for more than 45m towards the victims before successfully saving them within 15 minutes by taking them one by one ashore.

The heroic military personnel will be retiring next year after 20 years of service.

- Bernama

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