Nearly two decades have passed, but Umar Kamarudin, now 67 and retired from the police force, vividly recalls the day he saved a child from drowning.
Photo via BERNAMA
In a recent interview with BERNAMA, Umar recounted the incident that took place on May 8, 2005. He was enjoying a weekend getaway with his family at KL Plaza Suites, now known as Fahrenheit Suites, when he noticed a young boy struggling in the adult pool.
"I had taken a break from duty and was watching over my own children in the children's pool nearby," Umar recalled. "I glanced away for just a moment, and when I looked back, the boy had disappeared from the surface. I spotted him at the bottom of the pool and immediately shouted for help."
With no lifeguards present, Umar swiftly jumped into action. "The boy was limp and pale when I pulled him out. Drawing on my CPR training from my years in the police force, I began resuscitation," he said. The atmosphere around the pool fell silent as Umar worked desperately to revive the child.
Thankfully, the boy regained consciousness before the emergency team arrived. He was quickly taken to the hospital for further treatment, and Umar's heroic efforts saved his life.
"After that day, I tried several times to find out how the boy was doing, but my attempts were unsuccessful," Umar shared. "Months later, I received a 'Thank You' card signed by a Desmond Kwek Bo Yang. It was the only contact I had with him."
Photo via BERNAMA
Umar cherished that card, which expressed gratitude from the boy's family. "I kept wondering about him over the years, hoping to meet him again," Umar said.
Luck finally intervened when news of Umar's interview reached Desmond, now 26 years old and working in Tokyo, Japan. Desmond, a film graduate who had pursued further studies in Japan, was astonished to hear about Umar, whom he affectionately calls Uncle Umar.
"I initially thought it was a prank or scam when friends started calling me about the news," Desmond told BERNAMA. "But after confirming with my mother and seeing my name tagged in the comments on Facebook, I was overjoyed."
Through social media, Desmond connected with Umar's son and eventually spoke to Umar himself over WhatsApp. They caught up and promised to meet when Desmond returns to Malaysia next year.
"I just visited Malaysia in March, so I plan to return next year. Uncle Umar and I agreed to hang out at a local mamak when I'm back," Desmond said excitedly.
Umar expressed his happiness at reconnecting with the boy he saved all those years ago. "I'm overwhelmed with joy to hear Desmond's voice and know that he remembers me. I'm proud to see him succeed in Japan," Umar said gratefully.
Their heartwarming reunion is a testament to the enduring impact of a heroic act and the power of social media in bridging distances and rekindling meaningful connections.
