Unsung heroes ‘Yo’ save flood victims

KUANTAN, 24 December 2021 - Two individuals named ‘Yo’ were heroes for the residents of Taman Sri Damai Aman when they managed to save Hanafi Muhamad Yusoff’s family who lives in a nearby village.

They were clinging to a banana tree when the current was strong and when their boat got stuck in the ropes caused them to be stranded for almost 40 minutes against the strong current while carrying out this family.

Shaharul Anuar Ismail who works as a UMP Operations Assistant with his neighbour who is also his good friend, Kamarul Azam Kamat Audah, 32, both of whom are known as ‘Yo’ had to wade in the dark around 1.00 a.m. to help evacuate this family that is located almost 500 meters from his house.

They waded through the strong current in the banana plantation area by boarding their neighbour’s boat and several times almost swept away by strong currents.

While clinging to the end of the boat, he thought that if he fell, he would be swept away in a strong current and difficult to be found.

“I was determined to save the neighbour’s children so much so that I forgot about my own family.

“After reaching land, I ran to get my beloved wife and children in the house which was also flooded,” he said.

For Kamarul Azam, he was infinitely grateful for being able to handle his neighbour’s boat well even though at that time he was on sick leave for three months due to a leg injury.

For the KRT Chairman of Taman Sri Damai Aman, Jaafar Embong, 55, he was proud of them who always helped in the neighbourhood.

Similarly, the Student Affairs Officer, Zainal Bahari who was also in the residential area helped the flood victims.

He said the unsung heroes like these two ‘Yo’ made the locals proud.

The residential area consists of 1,700 residents and 70 families affected by the flood.

For Hanafi, he was very moved and did not expect they would save the lives of his children and wife.

At that point, he had to swim out of his house to get help.

Also telling this heartbreaking story was Rohana Sulaiman, 48, Jiranita KRT of Taman Sri Damai Aman who was anxiously waiting for the rescue mission.

By: Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office Of The Vice-Chancellor

Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty Of Chemical And Process Engineering Technology