A veteran who has served for 35 years was awarded the Excellent Service Award (APC) by the Fire and Rescue Department.
Tasek Gelugor fire station chief Muhammad Yazi Taib, 56, said the award was in recognition of his vast experience in handling major incidents, including high-risk rescue missions and disaster response.
“I began my service in Kuala Lumpur and spent about 22 years there,” he said after receiving the award at the Penang International Convention Cultural and Arts Centre in Butterworth, Penang.
“One of my most unforgettable career moments was during the Highland Towers incident in 1993.”
Recalling the tragedy, Muhammad Yazi said rescuers had to act quickly amid fears of further ground movement.
“At that time, we were informed that there were signs of soil movement and we had to be mindful of our own safety while carrying out rescue operations.
“It was a tense and defining experience,” he said, adding that back then, specialised teams such as the Special Malaysian Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) had not yet been established, so assistance was sought from foreign rescue units.
Muhammad Yazi, who is a former member of the Fire and Rescue Department’s elite scuba team, also recounted a deeply traumatic incident.
During a diving operation off Pulau Sembilan, Perak, he was involved in a search for missing personnel.
“We were searching for two divers, including one of our own colleagues.
“Losing a teammate in such circumstances is something that stays with you.
“It still affects me to this day,” said Muhammad Yazi.
Among other major operations he was directly involved in were landslides in Paya Terubong, Bukit Kukus and Tanjung Bungah, where the team had to search for buried or trapped victims.
He said each operation carried its own risks and emotional toll.
Muhammad Yazi, who was receiving the APC award for the sixth time in his career, said he used his experiences to guide and motivate younger personnel.
“I share these experiences to motivate my officers.
“It helps them understand the realities of the job and prepares them to carry out their duties in line with the department’s mission,” said Muhammad Yazi, adding that his family had been a pillar of support throughout his demanding career.
Another recipient, Mohd Nor Mazuan Hafiz Mat Rais, 35, said his 15 years in service had taken him across Selangor and Penang, shaping his experience on the ground.
Now serving as an operations team supervisor at the Bayan Baru fire station, Mohd Nor Mazuan spent a decade in Selangor before being posted to Penang five years ago.
Mohd Nor Mazuan said among the key challenges in Penang were access constraints during emergency response, particularly in densely populated areas.
“In many cases, the roads are narrow and often lined with parked vehicles on both sides, making it difficult for our fire engines to get through,” he said.
Mohd Nor Mazuan said that identifying exact locations in certain areas also posed a challenge, which could affect response times.
“We are required to reach emergency scenes in under 10 minutes.
“But when we do not receive accurate information, it can delay our arrival and impact the operation,” he explained.
Mohd Nor Mazuan recalled being involved in putting out a fire in Balik Pulau that claimed three lives, describing it as one of the more demanding operations he had been involved in.
“The building was an old structure, and the fire spread very quickly, making it difficult for us to contain,” he said.
A second-time recipient of the APC Award, Mohd Nor Mazuan said he first received the recognition in 2016 while serving in Selangor.
He expressed appreciation to his superiors and the department for recognising his contributions.
“I hope this award will inspire my colleagues and those under my supervision to continue serving with greater dedication,” said Mohd Nor Mazuan, who is originally from Kuantan, Pahang.
Muhammad Yazi and Mohd Nor Mazuan received their awards from Fire and Rescue Department deputy director-general (Operations) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman.
A total of 67 officers and personnel received awards at the event.
