July 2024 Recap: Uncle Mike Charms M’sians, Selangor Team Wins Esports World Cup, & Syed Saddiq Faces Triathlon Controversy #RDRECAP

July 2024 was a month filled with remarkable events and captivating stories in Malaysia. From the heartwarming tale of Uncle Mike, whose kindness and charm won the hearts of Malaysians, to the triumphant victory of the Selangor Red Giants in the Esports World Cup, the nation had much to celebrate.

Read our #RDRECAP to know more on all the highlights and see what made July special!

Uncle Mike becomes the first recipient of the Muhibbah Award 2024

A chance encounter between a kind-hearted Chinese man and an orphaned Malay boy over 16 years ago blossomed into a beautiful relationship, proving that genuine acts of kindness can forge deep familial bonds, regardless of race or background.

Michael Tong Wai Siong, also known as Uncle Mike, had struck a friendship with Rafei Ahmad Fauzi and ended up adopting him and his two brothers, Rasyid and Abdul Rahman.

Image Credit: Harian Metro

For 16 years, Uncle Mike had raised his sons, Rafie Ahmad Fauzi, Rasyid, and Abdul Rahman, in accordance with Islamic teachings. He even fasted with his sons during Ramadan, woke them up on time, and was the one who cooked for ‘sahur.’

In July, Uncle Mike was honoured with the National Press Club (NPC)-Macrokiosk Muhibbah Award 2024 for June, which was created to inspire and recognise acts of kindness, unity, and goodwill.

Selangor Red Giants (SGR) becomes first Malaysian team to win a major international Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament

Image Credit: ONE Esports

A Selangor Esports team bagged a staggering US$1 million (RM4.66 million) in cash prize after they won a major international Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) title.

The grand final, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, pitted SGR against the Philippine Falcon AP Bren. The win marked the end of Malaysia's seven-year drought in international e-sports.

Syed Saddiq allegedly cheated during Triathlon Desaru 2024

Image Credit: Sinar Daily

Earlier in July, politician Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman completed an impressive 200 km run over four days. The run, which began in Muar, Johor, ended at the Parliament building in an effort to demand a parliamentary allocation for opposition MPs and raise money for the Muar service centre. It is reported that he had raised a total of RM160,000 by the end of the run.

However, later in the same month, Syed Saddiq was accused of cheating after he posted his third-place finish at the Triathlon Desaru 2024 on Instagram.

He later issued a statement in which he took full responsibility for the situation and said it was an ‘honest mistake.’ His status had since been reflected as did not finish (DNF) instead of third place.

Featured Image Credit: Buletin TV3, Selangor Journal, FMT