KUALA TERENGGANU: The state government will give a special award to Abdul Bari Asyraf Mohd, 31, who died while attempting to help rescue a family of five whose car plunged into the river estuary near here on Friday night.
State Youth, Sports and NGO Development Committee chairman Wan Sukairi Wan Abdullah said the award would be a tribute to his bravery and noble deed.
"As we know, he had done something very commendable by risking his life to rescue not one, but five victims in the incident.
"Despite the strong river currents, he still jumped. In fact, he was also the first to react.
"It was understood that he had managed to help rescue two lives, but eventually lost his.
"He had exuded commendable attitude and moral qualities, which should be emulated by all Terengganu youth and people. I will personally propose at this week's EXCO meeting, for a special recognition award to be given to Abdul Bari,"he said.
He was met when visiting the remains of Abdul Bari and his family at the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital Forensic Unit here today.
In the incident, Abdul Bari succeeded in rescuing the two victims before he drowned.
Wan Sukairi said the state government also commended five other youth who were involved in the rescue operation.
"InsyaAllah, they will also be rewarded. The state government also thanked the rescue team which included firefighters, police, volunteer departments and all those involved in the search for the victim, "he added.
In the 9.40pm on Friday, Abdul Bari was attempting to rescue the family of five who were nearly drowned after their four-wheel drive Mitsubishi Storm reversed and plunged into the river estuary at Pulau Warisan here.
His body was found floating near the river’s estuary at 7.24am on Sunday, about 2.5km from where he was last seen. — Reports by Hanneeyzah Bariah Baharin, Zatul Iffah Zolkiply and Zaid Salim
