During the Sabah Quake, this picture of a local mountain guide carrying a young boy over his shoulder to bring him to safety went viral. The mountain guide in the photo was later identified as Mohd Rizuan Kauhinin. The boy he rescued, El Wafeeq El Jauzy, was a student of Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS)

The picture that went vrial
Mohd Rizuan Kauhinin carrying an injured El Wafeeq to safety after the Sabah Earthquake

Mohd Rizuan did receive a number of invitations to visit the boy he rescued in Singapore. When asked about the invitations, he said,

“I want to go to Singapore, but not now, maybe later when things have calmed down. However, I do not want to go alone, I want to go with my two friends who also helped in carrying the boy down,”

He was also uncomfortable with the spotlight being on him and that the other guides should also be given the same treatment.

“I am not anyone important, please! My fellow guides and I worked equally hard on the day of the earthquake to get the victims down. Some even died and I don’t know why the limelight is on me alone.”

His desire to be reunited with the boy and also to honour his fellow mountain guides materialized this morning as he and two other mountain climbers met El Wafeeq and his family for the first time after rescuing the boy.

Mohd Rizuan and his fellow moutain guides, Simon and Mazlee before the reunion
Mohd Rizuan and his fellow moutain guides, Simon and Mazlee before the reunion (Photo: Kane Cunico/CNA)

The reunion was scheduled to be held at TKPS – where Wafeeq studied. On his way to TKPS, Rizuan said,

“I will shake Wafeeq’s hand and ask the boy about his condition. The last time I had a chance to ask the boy his name and age, but this time I will ask more and get to know him more.”

Wafeeq and his family were just as ready to meet the mountain guides – Wafeeq had printed special t-shirts for the three men he called his ‘saviours’.

On the back of the t-shirt Wafeeq printed for his 'saviours' their names were written. The shilouette of Mount Kinabalu was also visible. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)
On the back of the t-shirt Wafeeq printed for his ‘saviours’ their names were written. The shilouette of Mount Kinabalu was also visible. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)

“We wanted to give the guides something meaningful. So we came up with the idea of soccer jerseys with Wafeeq’s and the guides’ names,” said his mother, Mdm Sabrena El Huda.

Wafeeq also added that he “made the T-shirts to symbolise the courage of the Sabah mountain guides.”

The special tees were not only presented to the guides, as Wafeeq too was clad in one.

Rizuan checks out the T-shirt Wafeeq made for him. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)
Rizuan checks out the T-shirt Wafeeq made for him. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)

Wafeeq’s family were brimming with joy at the reunion.

“I feel very delighted – the whole family does – seeing them in person. When we spoke to each other, we shared our stories as if we had known each other for a long time.

I wouldn’t see this meeting as a closure but a start. I think this sense of brotherly love will continue beyond this episode.”

Wafeeq's father Mr El Jauzy hugs Simon (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)
Wafeeq’s father Mr El Jauzy hugs Simon (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)

When the inevitable question of whether Wafeeq still wanted to return to Mount Kinabalu – this time to reach the summit – arose, Mdm Sabrina answered with a smile.

“He is a very determined boy.” Wafeeq still wants to reach the summit, she added. “I think he has found a very good guide”

After the reunion, the three guides will spend another 2 days in Singapore before returning home. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)
After the reunion, the three guides will spend another 2 days in Singapore before returning home. (Photo: Pichayada Promchertchoo/CNA)

Adapted from Channel NewsAsia and The Star.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

NRIC numbers and photos of National Service recruits published online for a day

The NRIC numbers and pictures of the latest cohort of National Service…

NSP makes complaint to Elections Dept over Tin Pei Ling Facebook posting (Updated)

by Andrew Loh  UPDATE – 7 May 1100hrs: TOC has been informed…

【冠状病毒19】5月6日新增788例确诊 累计确诊破两万

根据新加坡卫生部文告,截至本月6日中午12时,本地新增788例冠状病毒19确诊。 本地目前累计确诊已突破两万例,达到2万0198例。 该部称,新增确诊大多为住宿舍的工作准证持有者。11人为新加坡人和永久居民。更多详情将在当局收集细节后晚间公布。

TOC News: Letter of Demand to Law Society Singapore and Mr Wong Siew Hong

The following is the Letter of Demand filed by Mr Louis Joseph…