GEORGE TOWN: “This award is for Penangites and the air force.”
True to his humble persona, this was how auxiliary police Constable Zaidi Salleh reacted when he was conferred the Pingat Gagah Perwira by Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas in conjunction with the latter’s 80th birthday at Dewan Sri Pinang.
The soft-spoken 52-year-old was lost for words after he was presented the award for his heroic act in saving a woman who jumped off the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Bridge earlier this year.
“I want to dedicate this award to the (Royal Malaysian) Air Force, especially our chief, General Tan Sri Affendi Buang. The knowledge I gained during my time with the air force gave me the courage to help the woman that day.
“I also dedicate this to the people who have shown me support until today. It is an honour to receive this important award for the small sacrifice I made that day,” the former RMAF man said after the state award ceremony.
Zaidi said that he would continue to serve the people while he is on duty and help them whenever they are in need.
“Everyone can do their part in helping others... we must try our best. The least you can do is call for help, as there might be people around who have the expertise to help,” he added.
Zaidi was the only one conferred the Pingat Gagah Perwira, an award given out for the first time in more than 10 years.
In April this year, a 28-year-old woman had parked her Toyota Avanza by the side of the road at Km9.9 of the bridge at about 11.15am, then jumped into the waters below.
One of three auxiliary policemen tasked with patrolling the bridge that day, Zaidi risked his own life by jumping into the sea to save the woman’s life.
It was reported that Zaidi hung onto the woman for 45 minutes in the water before help arrived and they were pulled on board a boat.