REMEMBERED: Members of the public leaving flowers at Jalan Rock monsoon drain to mark the Jan 5 flash flood tragedy.
KUCHING: A proper committee needs to be formed to determine awards and recognition for heroic acts by civilians.
Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah said that her ministry might seek an opportunity to award the heroic act of the late Herman Sihas at the state-level Children’s Day celebration this year.
“This will be one of the things we will deliberate on. I can’t answer if we will give an award to Herman because we need a committee to decide who can receive an award for bravery and selfless acts.
In the case of Herman, he is above 18 and the ministry in charge of youth could also come in,” she said when contacted by The Borneo Post yesterday.
She added that Herman’s courage and selflessness should be an example to society.
Fatimah also said that his bravery is honoured and will always be remembered.
Petrol station worker Herman’s body was found on the morning of Jan 7 (Sat) by Civil Defence Department personnel at Lorong Sungai Maong Ulu 3.
Despite not knowing how to swim, the 28-year-old from Lundu jumped into the fast flowing water together with an off-duty fireman in a desperate, but ultimately failed, bid to save 19-year-old Kho Ying Qi, who fell into the monsoon drain while walking along the submerged road following flash floods which struck the city on Jan 5.
Several co-workers described Herman, who only started working at the station a week ago after moving from another station in Kenyalang Park, as an extremely helpful and hardworking person who always put the needs of others above his own.
Kho remains missing at press time.