52nd World Children's Day

...Love Our Children: Inheritors of the Country’s Glory

Muhammad Firdaus Haris, 13, who saved a boy from drowning, was picked from among seven others for the Pingat Hang Tuah. Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Fauziah presented him the award at MITC, Ayer Keroh. For his bravery and swift action, Muhammad Firdaus won the Hang Tuah award and received a medal, trophy and RM5,000

The award was introduced in 1960 by the Malaysian Council for Child Welfare to recognize child heroes but was halted in 1983.  It was revived this year by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry to acknowledge the courage of children in saving lives or property. Abdul Rauf Suhaimi, 14, and Wan Nurul Suhaila Wan Ahmad Nasri, 14, both from Perak won the Anugerah Tunas Jaya Kebangsaan award.

This award recognizes children with excellent academic achievements, co-curricular participation and leadership qualities.

The Anugerah Kanak-Kanak Khas Terbaik awards for special children were also given out to 10 boys and girls. They are: Muhammad Sharil Mohd Saupi, Nor Alia Mohamed, Wan Muhammad Noor Wan Haruna, Norlinda Jalalin, Ahmad Ihsan Ahmad Firdaus, Nurul Haryani Juhari, Faiq Adnan, Nursyafawati Arshukri, Amir Mustaqim Muala Arifin and Fauzih Abd Hamid. The Anugerah Semangat Gemilang was given to Azhar Yahya and Siti Amalina Awang.

Also present were Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, Malacca GovernorTun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.  KFC Holdings and Nestle Products (M) Bhd were the main sponsors.