Mt Everest climber Awang Askandar given posthumous Maulidur Rasul Special Award

File photo

ALOR SETAR: Former Kedah Civil Defence Force director, the late Lt-Col (PA) Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub (pic), was posthumously bestowed a Special Award at the state-level Maulidur Rasul celebration on Thursday (Sept 28).

The special award was presented by Sultan of Kedah Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah to state Civil Defence Force deputy director Major (PA) Mohd Muaz Mohd Yusoff, representing Awang Askandar’s family who could not attend the ceremony.

ALSO READ: Kedah APM director dies while ascending Mt Everest

Mohd Muaz said the award was in recognition of Awang Askandar’s contributions and services during his nearly six years as director.

"The late Awang Askandar made significant contributions, especially to the people of Kedah, where he was actively involved in flood operations, provided training to the community and the public, and collaborated with various departments and agencies in the state.

"Today, his fellow officers and friends are also present at this meaningful ceremony,” he told reporters after the ceremony at a hotel here.

Mohd Muaz also said the montage presentation about Awang Askandar during the ceremony had an impact on everyone present, especially himself and the other officers and personnel.

"Although the incident that befell him happened some time ago, we all felt like it had just occurred. We are touched by the montage because we lost a beloved and respectful figure whom we had known since 2017.

ALSO READ: Family, friends and colleagues bid farewell to Mt Everest climber Awang Askandar

"The deceased was honoured with a certificate of appreciation, a commemorative gift and a cheque for RM7,000, which we will present to his family in Sabah,” he said.

Awang Askandar, 56, died during the Malaysia Everest 2023 expedition in May after he was reported to have fallen when making the final ascent at 8,000m.

At Thursday’s ceremony, the Imam of Al-A’la Mosque in Jitra, Saidin Dogol, 75, received the Tokoh Imam Award and brought home a certificate of appreciation, a commemorative gift, and a cheque for RM7,000. – Bernama