PUTRAJAYA: Michael Tong Wai Siong, popularly known as Uncle Mike, said winning the 2024 Maulidur Rasul Award today will become his motivation to help more people.
The contributions of Uncle Mike came to light in May after his story of adopting three orphaned Malay siblings – Rafie Ahmad Fauzi, Rasyid and Abdul Rahman, now aged 29, 28 and 24, respectively – in 2008 caught the attention of the public.
He said he was honoured by the award and never thought he would receive it.
"I am touched and never imagined that after 16 years, not having shared the story with anyone, it would go viral in the media.
"This recognition from the government serves as motivation and inspiration for me to help even more people," he said after the national-level Maulidur Rasul Celebration 2024/1446H.
The businessman added that since he first got involved in charity with his friend, he had never expected anything. Thus, he said it was God's destiny when he met and adopted the boys while cleaning a local orphanage.
"I never looked back (after adopting them); my intention was to raise them and help them become useful individuals," Tong said.
Uncle Mike was one of the individuals honoured with the award alongside Datin Aminah Zakaria of Persatuan Persaudaraan Muslimah Malaysia and Kota Kinabalu City Mosque chairman Datuk Ab Jamal Tun Sakaran.
The award was also given to Universiti Putra Malaysia microbiology professor Datin Dr Khatijah Mohamad Yusof, former Institut Kefahaman Islam Malaysia honorary fellow Professor Emeritus Dr Shaharir Mohamad Zain and deaf advocate Sariah Ibrahim.
Each recipient received RM30,000, a trophy and a certificate of appreciation.
The Perdana Maulidur Rasul award was awarded to Sarawak Mufti Datuk Kipli Yassin. The award was presented by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia. Kipli received RM50,000, along with a trophy, a medal and a certificate of appreciation.