The floods may have swallowed roads and disrupted daily life across several Malaysian states, but they could not stop one student from fighting for his education.
In Kuala Lipis, a determined teen swam through floodwater with his father so he would not miss his SPM exam. The viral moment has now captured nationwide attention.
A viral video shows father and son swimming with a black basket
A TikTok video posted by user @yusoffpelamindanwiring2 showed his teenage son swimming through chest to neck level water while pushing a black plastic basket believed to contain his school bag.
The father swam right beside him, carefully guiding him through what used to be the main road to town.
“A challenge for my eldest son on his way to sit for SPM. We had to swim through the flood because the main road was cut off. May Along succeed in this world and the next. His bag is inside the black container,” the father wrote.
He saw it as a test, not a setback
The student, identified as 17 year old Haziq Hazwan Yusoff, said he viewed the situation as a test he needed to face.
“I see it as a test that Allah gave me. What I did was for my own future, not anyone else’s,” he told Harian Metro.
Haziq, who is from Kampung Kuala Kechau in Kuala Lipis, said the video was taken by his 10 year old brother who watched from the riverbank as the pair swam across the floodwater.
The road was too flooded for boats, leaving no option but to swim
Haziq is a student at SMK Clifford, Kuala Lipis. He explained that the road leading out of his village was completely submerged and could not even be accessed by boat.
“My house was almost flooded, so I needed to go to the hostel early. My family has a boat but it could not be used in that area.
“So we went through the flood before my father drove me to the hostel with a car he had parked on higher ground. The water reached our noses, but both of us managed to swim safely,” he said.
Flooding is common in his village, but this was a first
The teen shared that floods are not new to their area, but swimming to get to his SPM exam was.
“It was not the school’s fault. My father and I made the decision ourselves because the route could not be accessed.
I hope people do not misunderstand or blame anyone. Some may say I risked my life, but I knew the risks. If it was truly dangerous, I would not have done it,” he said.
He added that he is aiming for 9As in SPM and hopes this test of perseverance will motivate others too.
“I pray that everything goes smoothly. I hope other SPM candidates who face similar challenges stay strong. Maybe these challenges will be the key to success for all of us,” he said.
Parents say they simply did what they had to do
Haziq’s father, Yusoff Mat Dakim, said he did not think of asking for help at the time because their house was already close to being flooded and he needed to save household items.
“There were many things to think about. At the same time, I needed to send my son to the hostel. So we went through the flood without asking anyone for help.
“The place where we swam was the main road to town, not a river. Some parts were not deep, so we were confident,” he said.
Haziq’s mother, Rozila, said she was touched by her son’s determination and her husband’s sacrifice.
“We did not expect the video to go viral. We do not blame anyone because boats really could not pass through that area.
“I see what happened as a test for him, and maybe the reason he will get excellent results in SPM,” she said.
Education department confirms he is safe and ready for exams
The Pahang State Education Department confirmed that Haziq has been placed safely in the hostel at SMK Kuala Lanar and is prepared to sit for the exam with the other candidates.
Since the video went viral, Malaysians have flooded the comments with support, prayers, and admiration for the teen’s perseverance in the face of such difficult circumstances.
Watch the clip here:
