Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim bestowed the award on Michael Tong, more affectionately known as “Uncle Mike”, during the national-level Maulidur Rasul celebration in Putrajaya, Bernama reported.

The Kuala Lumpur native had taken in Rafie Ahmad Fauzi and his younger siblings Rasyid and Rahman in 2008, in what he described as being “destined by God”.

He first met Rafie 16 years ago at a welfare home in Gombak where he was volunteering. The boy who was then only 13 years old sat by himself in the orphanage.

“I felt compelled to help this boy. My intention was to raise him to become a ‘complete’ person,” he told reporters after receiving the award today.

After spending some time talking to Rafie, Tong found out that the boy was separated from his two younger siblings who were placed in a different orphanage.

A resolute Tong managed to track down their whereabouts and found them at an orphanage in Klang. He then decided to raise all three siblings at his home in Bandar Sri Damansara.

Now, Rafie is 29, while Rasyid and Rahman are 28 and 24, respectively.

Tong, who was recognised for upholding the values of compassion and unity, said the award has motivated him to continue his charitable work and to help those in need.

“I feel deeply touched. I never expected to receive this award because I come from an ordinary family. For 16 years, I didn’t tell anyone about this until it was reported by Harian Metro (a few months ago),” he said.