Plans to make hearing-impaired Indonesian hero an 'adopted' child of Malaysia

GPM Malaysia says seven-year-old Taufik (right) is a hero for coming to the aid of Malaysians after earthquakes struck Lombok island on March 17. – The Jakarta Post/ANN

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): Plans are afoot to make the deaf and mute Indonesian boy, hailed a hero for helping save the lives of a group of  Malaysians during the recent Lombok earthquake, an adopted child of Malaysia.

Malaysia's Global Peace Mission (GPM) will  send a full report to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, of the role and quick-thinking actions of 12-year-old Taufik (pic) in helping out the Malaysian tourists, who were at a waterfall when the 5.8 magnitude earthquake jolted the island.

"GPM Malaysia wants Datuk Seri Wan Azizah who is also the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, to consider making Taufik an adopted child of our country,” said its chief executive officer Ahmad Fahmi Mohd Samsudin.

"The role of this boy in saving a large group of people is immense and we must honour him for his courage which in turn will be an inspiration to others,” he told Bernama News Channel here on Sunday (March 31).

“When GPM had hailed him the 'little hero', many parties had come forward to help, among them KPJ Tawakkal Hospital surgeon Professor Dr Lokman Saim. He was moved by the boy's deeds and offered to take care of his shortcomings (hearing disability),” said Ahmad Fahmi.

If Taufik becomes an "adopted child" of Malaysia, it would indirectly strengthen the relationship between Malaysia and Indonesia, he added.

"News on Taufik's heroic deeds had received wide coverage in both countries. In Indonesia, a special fund has been set up for him, while we (in Malaysia) should also look into his medical needs,” said Ahmad Fahmi.

On Friday (March 29), Dr Lokman had met Taufik at the general hospital in the  Nusa Tenggara Barat district to conduct a final assessment of his hearing disability.

Taufik was given a special hearing aid that he would use for six months after which he will undergo surgery for a hearing implant.

Bernama News Channel had earlier reported about the humanitarian mission #peduligempalombok, and how Taufik had rescued Malaysians who were victims of the quake at the Tiu Kelep Waterfall in Senaru, Lombok.

In the earthquake which also triggered a landslide, two Malaysians, Sin Chew Daily deputy chief executive officer Datin Tai Siew Kim and Lim Sai Wah, were killed.  - Bernama