KOTA SAMARAHAN – A heroic act at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS) on July 21 turned an ordinary cadet into a campus icon. Ahmad Nur Irfan Amirruddin, a cadet officer with the Civil Defence Student Corps (SISPA), was officially recognised for his extraordinary bravery in saving a life during an emergency at the UNIMAS Lake.
During the distressing moment, when many might hesitate, Ahmad Nur Irfan instinctively dove into the lake to rescue an individual who was in critical danger. Armed with courage and guided by his SISPA training, he managed to save the individual’s life — an act that has since inspired many across the university and beyond.
His courageous actions were formally acknowledged in an appreciation ceremony led by Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Al-Khalid Othman, Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) and Commander of the UNIMAS SISPA Corps. Ahmad received a Certificate of Appreciation for his swift and selfless response.
“I didn’t have time to think long. I just thought that the person’s life was more important. I trusted the training we had, and I knew I had to act,” said Ahmad humbly after receiving the certificate.
The ceremony was also attended by Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) Sarawak Deputy Director, Lt. Col. (PA) Raja Muhammad AlHakim Raja Jaafar @ Raja Yaakub, Head of the Sarawak APM Force Management Branch Lt. (PA) Zaidi Jili, along with fellow SISPA officers and APM personnel who gathered in support of the young hero.
Prof. Dr. Al-Khalid praised Ahmad’s instinctive response, saying it was a true reflection of SISPA’s mission to instil discipline, readiness, and a deep sense of civic duty among university students.
“This is not just courage—it is an inspiration. Ahmad Nur Irfan shows that in moments of emergency, acting with knowledge and heart can make all the difference,” he remarked.
The ceremony also highlighted the vital role of the UNIMAS SISPA Corps in nurturing a generation of responsible, community-driven youth. Ahmad’s story is a testament to how the spirit of volunteerism and training can turn fear into hope—and an ordinary student into a real-life hero.
