MELAKA – The Melaka assembly today congratulated and paid tribute to Azwan Omar, better known as “Abang Viva”, who has helped flood victims in several areas in Shah Alam, Selangor and the Klang Valley.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, when tabling the Melaka Budget 2022, said he was touched by the selflessness of the 29-year-old machine operator who was willing to take leave just to send aid to flood victims.
“What makes us proud is that he went there with a boat tied to the roof of his Perodua Viva car and only RM50 in his pocket. He used RM20 to fuel up and the remaining RM30 to purchase food.
“We should congratulate and pay tribute to the volunteer hero from Melaka by giving a round of applause to ‘Abang Viva’,” he said.
Azwan became a social media sensation after he won the hearts of people of various races when a Twitter user posted about his willingness to travel to Selangor from Melaka in his Perodua Viva, with a boat strapped on the roof of the car to rescue residents trapped in their flood-hit houses.
Meanwhile, Sulaiman announced that the state government has allocated RM200,000 for the purchase of boats as a preparation to face natural disasters in future. – Bernama, December 27, 2021
