SIBU, June 8 — An elderly man risked his life to save his eight grandchildren and a son after their family home was destroyed in a fire at Kampung Jeriah Abang Ramli, Jalan Oya Lama here yesterday morning.

Recalling the incident, Umar Sidee, 66, said he and his wife were tending to an orchard about six metres from their two-storey semi-permanent house, which was home to 19 family members from three households.

His eight grandchildren, aged between four and 14, were watching television on the ground floor, while his son, in his 20s, was upstairs.

“My wife suddenly shouted that our house was on fire. At the same time, I heard several explosions.

“As soon as I saw flames spreading from the back of the house, I ran inside and brought out all my grandchildren before rushing upstairs to wake my son,” he told Bernama yesterday. 

The former Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) personnel said despite thick smoke and rising heat, he made sure no one was left inside before escaping.

“Although I am already elderly, all I could think about at that moment was the safety of my grandchildren and son. Thankfully, everyone got out safely,” he said.

Umar said he and several villagers later tried to extinguish the fire using buckets of water, but the blaze spread too quickly.

“The fire was too intense. Many villagers came to help, but we were unable to control it,” he said.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene later instructed residents to move away as conditions became increasingly dangerous, leaving them to watch the house being engulfed by flames.

Adding to the family’s anguish, the fire destroyed a home Umar had built gradually over nearly four decades.

He said construction began after he retired from the Malaysian Armed Forces in 1995 and continued while he worked with the Public Works Department (JKR) from 2003.

“As my children grew up and started families of their own, I expanded the house bit by bit. When more grandchildren came along, I enlarged it further. It was only fully completed last year.

“But everything was destroyed in the blink of an eye,” he said.

Although he was unable to save important documents and valuables, Umar said he accepted the tragedy as no lives were lost.

“What matters most is that my children and grandchildren are safe. Possessions can be replaced, but loved ones cannot,” he said.

In the 11 am incident on Monday, the house was destroyed, leaving the family with only the clothes on their backs. — Bernama

ISKANDAR PUTERI, June 15 — Johor Barisan Nasional (BN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Maslan has confirmed he will not contest in the upcoming Johor state election, despite speculation linking him to several state seats.

Ahmad, who is also Deputy Works Minister, said he has no intention of contesting either the Benut or Pulai Sebatang state seat within the Pontian parliamentary seat.

“I have informed the party leadership of my decision and believe other candidates should be given the opportunity to contest for those seats,” he told reporters after a working visit to the Johor Public Works Department (JKR) here today.

However, the Pontian MP said he would continue to play an active role in helping BN and Umno secure victory in the state election.

The Election Commission has set July 11 as polling day for the 16th Johor state election, with nomination day on June 27 and early voting on July 7. — Bernama