BY NATASHA JEE & ALEXANDRA LORNA
This is part 1 of a three part series exploring why Malaysia should consider enacting a Good Samaritan Act. Through this series, we highlight the real-life accounts of Good Samaritans.
IN times of crisis, while some are struck by fear, others act without hesitation – risking their lives to help others.
In Sarawak, recent incidents have seen many ordinary individuals rising to extraordinary challenges, demonstrating courage, compassion and a deep sense of responsibility for others.
Against this backdrop, Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has again called on the government to introduce a Good Samaritan Act to provide legal protection for bystanders and first responders who voluntarily assist during emergencies.
Such a law, he said, is crucial in encouraging public intervention, as many people hesitate to help accident victims or those in medical distress for fear of legal liability.
“Therefore, a Good Samaritan Act would offer protection against civil or criminal liability for those who render aid in good faith, encouraging a more compassionate and proactive society,” he said in a statement on July 13.
He stressed that immediate action in emergencies, whether a road accident, heart attack, drowning or sudden collapse could mean the difference between life and death.
Legal protection, he said, would encourage bystanders trained in basic first aid or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) to act without hesitation.
“It would also reinforce the idea that the government values and protects those who step forward to assist others,” he said.
Lee added that a clear legal framework would also reassure medical professionals, off-duty healthcare workers and volunteers who provide emergency assistance outside their formal duties.
“However, such protection should apply to those acting in good faith and not individuals who act with gross negligence or intent to cause harm,” he said.
Similar laws, he noted, already exist in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom.
“These laws ensure that well-intentioned individuals are not deterred from helping others due to fear of legal repercussions. Malaysia needs such protection too,” he said.
Beyond legalities, Lee stressed that the Good Samaritan Act is ultimately about cultivating a culture of care, responsibility and civic duty.
Student rescues teen after car plunges into lake
On what seemed like an ordinary day at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) on July 21, Ahmad Nur Irfan Amirruddin and his two friends found themselves face to face with a life-and-death situation.
The incident involved a vehicle that veered off the road and plunged into the lake within the campus grounds.
Ahmad Nur Irfan, 22, who hails from Puchong, Selangor, was with his friends driving around the university at 10.30am that day when they stumbled upon a terrifying sight – a car which was already half submerged in the campus lake.
“We were looking for a place to hold our upcoming event when we suddenly saw the car. It was already half sinking in the middle of the lake and we immediately rushed to the scene.
“Then, we saw a girl struggling in the water near the vehicle, and I dived straight in,” the student from Unimas’ Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSK) told Sarawak Tribune.
The 17-year-old girl, whom he later learned was autistic, remained calm and did not struggle as Ahmad Nur Irfan swam towards her.
“She could float but couldn’t make it to shore. My only thought then was to save her,” he said.
Halfway to safety, Ahmad Nur Irfan said a member of the public joined the rescue effort, helping him to bring the girl to the shore.
“When we were trying to bring her to safety, the girl said her mother was still in the car. By then, we saw the vehicle had sunk completely,” he said.
Exhausted, Ahmad Nur Irfan vomited from the effort and could not return to the water.
“Later, another member of the public came, and two of them tried to rescue the mother. The depth of the lake was about the height of an upright car.
“One of them attempted to dive down to reach the submerged car, wanting to open the car’s door. But the darkness of the lake made it impossible,” he said.
He said the member of the public went to get a buoy with a rope and it was quickly tied to the car’s tyre.
“When the auxiliary police arrived, a human chain was formed to drag the vehicle closer to shore before the Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) arrived with proper equipment to complete the rescue.
“The mother was eventually pulled out and CPR was performed before she was rushed to the hospital. Sadly, she did not survive,” he said.
For Ahmad Nur Irfan, saving the girl’s life was mixed with sorrow.
“I was very sad that we couldn’t save her mother. Honestly, that hurt me the most,” he said.
When asked why he leapt in without hesitation, he said he believed there was a reason why he was there at that moment.
“Everything happens with Allah’s will,” he said.
He said growing up, he had always loved swimming and his mother had enrolled him in lessons when he was just in Primary 4.
“I am also a Cadet Officer of the Civil Defence Student Corps (Kor SISPA) Unimas and the training has prepared me with first response knowledge.
“So, when I encountered the incident. My only thought was to save the girl. I was worried for her safety. I prayed for the ability to help. Alhamdulillah, she was saved,” he said.
News of his action left this family proud but also worried.
“My mother was far away in the peninsula when she found out. Naturally, she was anxious. My grandmother too was worried that I risked my life.
“But I told my grandmother, ‘I never thought of being a hero. I just couldn’t bear the thought of the girl not making it,” he said.
The biggest lesson, he said, was the importance of staying calm.
“Of course, there was panic. But it’s about how you control your emotions. Every second counts, and you must alert the right people like the police and Bomba,” he said.
For his bravery, he received a Certificate of Appreciation from Unimas deputy vice chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni), Prof Dr Al-Khalid Othman, who is also the Unimas SISPA Corps Commander, Honorary Assistant Commissioner (PA).
He was also honoured with the Life Saver Award where he received it from Deputy State Legislative Assembly Speaker and Muara Tuang assemblyman Datuk Idris Buang, earning him the title of campus hero and a source of inspiration for the community.
Angel without wings saves man’s life
A video of a young woman performing CPR on a man who collapsed at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) on April 30 went viral after an incident unfolded at the airport’s domestic arrival hall.
The victim, identified as Law, 55, from Sibu, had been experiencing chest and stomach pain for three days following a trip to China.
Despite undergoing a scope in Sibu on April 29, his pain worsened. He decided to travel alone to Kuching the next morning, but collapsed shortly after landing at KIA at 11.30am.
Dr Tang Sie Hing, a cardiologist at Timberland Medical Centre (TMC), shared the case on Facebook on May 2 at the request of Law’s family, who were trying to identify the woman who had come to his aid.
According to Dr Tang, the young woman immediately performed CPR on Law for nearly 30 minutes and in between the automated external defibrillator (AED) at the airport was used and two shocks was applied and terminated his pulseless ventricular fibrillation to atrial fibrillation.
Law was rushed by ambulance to Sarawak General Hospital (SGH) and was later transferred to TMC under Dr Tang’s care.
“Coronary angiogram showed two vessels 100 per cent blocked and ad hoc coronary angioplasty was done and the heart was stabilised. He regained full consciousness and suffered no neurological deficit,” he said.
A week later, the woman who first performed CPR was identified but requested to remain unnamed.
Dr Tang confirmed she was a TMC staff member who happened to be on the same flight as Law.
“I have found her and received confirmation that the woman in the picture was her. She is a staff member at TMC. Today she gave me her personal account of the event.
“She was on the same flight as Law, travelling from Sibu via AirAsia to Kuching. She saw Law collapse and immediately she and a male doctor together with other allied health professionals took turns to do CPR, and three shocks were delivered by AED.
“The medical assistants (MA) and nurses then arrived on scene and Law was taken to SGH immediately,” he said.
Dr Tang said the woman declined any form of recognition or gratitude, and wished to remain anonymous.
“I respect her wishes. And I hope this ends the journey of looking for this awesome person,” he said.
On May 9, the woman who was among the four individuals were hailed as heroes for their life-saving efforts in performing CPR and AED on Law.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr Sim Kui Hian in a statement said he was informed that the four individuals were Rafidah Putit, a senior nurse from the Kuching Divisional Health Office; Frankton Bagat, an assistant medical officer from the same office; a medical assistant from TMC who opted to remain anonymous; and a doctor from Sibu Hospital.
A ride turns into life-saving mission
Meanwhile, a 23-year-old security guard from Samarahan, Gabriel Helda, never imagined that an ordinary ride home would turn into a life-saving mission.
On the evening of December 5 last year, the young Bidayuh-Iban man had just finished his shift and was heading towards Kuching on his motorcycle when fate intervened.
As he approached the road near the Sarawak Heart Centre, Gabriel spotted a maroon Perodua Myvi with its hazard lights flashing.
Without hesitation, he rode closer, honking to get the driver’s attention and motioning for the car to pull over.
“I approached the car and saw a woman in distress. The woman who was driving, told me her child had fallen and sustained a head injury, and was bleeding heavily,” he recalled when speaking to Sarawak Tribune.
Peering inside, Gabriel saw the young boy crying in pain.
“The mother then said she wanted to bring her son to a clinic near Emart Tabuan Jaya. So, I told her to follow me and I led the way, clearing traffic as best I could,” he said.
Like a makeshift police escort, Gabriel said he manoeuvred through the evening traffic at 6.30pm urging drivers to give way, and was grateful that other drivers on the road noticed the urgency of the situation and gave way.
“After 10 minutes, we arrived at the clinic. But unfortunately it was closed. Inside the car, I could hear the boy’s cries grow louder, and was calling ‘Mommy, Mommy’.
“I told the woman to quickly take her child to KPJ Kuching Specialist Hospital and she agreed,” he said.
Once again, Gabriel took the lead and navigated the congested roads until they arrived safely at the hospital’s emergency entrance.
“The mother rushed her child inside and I waited and helped her look after her car while it was still running as there was another daughter in the car,” he said.
After the boy was treated Gabriel prepared to leave the hospital.
“The woman called out to thank me and said she wanted to give me something as a token of appreciation. But I was not sure and I wasn’t expecting anything in return.
“I just helped purely out of sincerity. I believe that when we help others, someday, someone will help us too,” he said.
When asked if it was his first time responding to an emergency on the road, he shared that he had previously helped a stranded motorcyclist and a car that had run out of fuel.
“My principle is that no matter their race, treat those in need like they are part of our family.
“If we help someone today, perhaps tomorrow or someday, when we’re in need, God will send someone to help us too,” he said.
He also said his elders have always taught him to help others as there are more who are in need out there.
“They always reminded me that when helping others, don’t expect anything in return or wishing that person will give out money. But help with a sincere heart,” he said.
The mother, later identified as Michelle Tan, took to Facebook to look for the Good Samaritan who had helped her that evening.
Eventually, Tan managed to track down Gabriel and personally thanked him.
In a follow-up post, she shared that her son had received treatment and was recovering.
