KUALA LUMPUR: Five Pakistanis who waded across a river to rescue petrified residents during a gas pipeline fire in Putra Heights not only went viral on social media but also earned official accolades from the Pakistani Embassy in Malaysia.

The five of them, Khaista Nawab, 50, Bakht Munir, 37, Amir Nawab, 47, Rafiq Ullah, 25 and Jaafar Ali, 40, were invited to receive a certificate of appreciation presented by a representative of the Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia at his office ​​yesterday.

Khaista said he and his four pals never expected recognition for the spontaneous help they rendered, which drew praise for a sincere act to those in peril.

"We helped because that is what is expected of people, not for reward. When we saw the terrified residents across the river, we knew we had to do something," he said today.

According to him, all five of them are originally from the historically famous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan and have been earning a livelihood in Malaysia for between seven and 20 years.

Khaista said they had jumped from the Klang River embankment in Kampung Sri Aman, Puchong, into the water to help some 30 residents flee to the riverbank in Kampung Tengah (Puchong) to escape the searing heat of the inferno.

He said they assisted children and the elderly in crossing the river, which was over 40 metres (m) wide and more than 1.8 m deep, to the embankment near Kampung Sri Aman.

They carried people on their shoulders in the shallower parts and pushed them while swimming in the deeper parts.

Khaista explained that all five of them were at their homes near the river on a Tuesday as they were still on holiday for Aidilfitri.

The first thought that crossed his mind when he saw the flames raging about a kilometre from his house was to grab his passport and flee.

"But then I thought, we can't just run, because on Judgment Day, we will still be questioned. We must help others even if our own lives are in danger," he said.

"We crossed back and forth more than five times to rescue all the residents," he recalled.

Their bravery not only went viral in Malaysia but also caught the attention of their fellow countrymen residing in Malaysia, notably Farooq Ahmed, the owner of a clothing company Alfaro Sdn Bhd, who rewarded them with clothing and cash gifts.

According to Farooq, Pakistan's Federal Minister Amir Muqam, who is also his friend, contacted him to express the pride and appreciation of the Pakistani government for the bravery of the five citizens.

"I was moved to offer them a token of appreciation for their sincerity in helping those in distress. I hope this contribution will support them in their lives here in this country.

"They have now gone viral not just in Malaysia but also in Pakistan, even catching the attention of a minister there," he said.

– BERNAMA