Uncle Mike Receives Award For Raising Orphaned Muslim Brothers For The Past 16 Years
The award was created to inspire and honour acts of kindness, unity, and goodwill.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 26 Jul 2024, 05:33 PM
Michael Tong Wai Siong has been honoured with an award for adopting three orphaned Muslim boys and raising them as his own for the past 16 years
According to the New Straits Times, Tong, better known as Uncle Mike, was given the National Press Club (NPC)-Macrokiosk Muhibbah Award 2024 for the month of June.
The monthly award recognises any individual, company, or organisation that exemplifies the spirit of muhibbah in Malaysia, appreciating the values of kindness, unity, and goodwill.
Tong expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasising that celebrating harmony and unity among families of different races is crucial for Malaysia.
"We can be as one as Malaysians. When we cut our hands, our blood is still red no matter the race.
"I hope that by receiving this award, many others like me will be recognised by the public as we are Malaysians," he said after accepting the accolade yesterday, 25 July.
Michael Tong Wai Siong (second from left) receiving the NPC-Macrokiosk Muhibbah Award 2024 yesterday, 25 July.
Image via MKH Associates via New Straits TimesTong gained nationwide attention in May this year when his story was featured on the front page of Harian Metro
Speaking to reporters yesterday, the 55-year-old unmarried man recounted the story of how he adopted brothers, Rafei Ahmad Fauzi, Rasyid, and Abdul Rahman, in 2008.
He shared that witnessing the siblings struggle with the trauma of losing their parents moved him to offer them a loving and stable home.
"I think it was fate from God that I met the three of them in my life. Though they are Muslims, I never asked them to [convert] as I understand they need to keep their faith in Islam.
"I told them every day when raising them, they should keep praying and preserve their faith in Islam as that is the legacy their parents left them before they died," said Tong.
From left to right: Rasyid, Rayyan Aisy (Rafei's son), Tong, Rafei, and Abdul Rahman.
Image via Effendy Rashid/Harian Metro