'Happy Chinese New Year, uncle' – kindness beyond race and religion

Amid the racial and religious bickering, which has dominated the Malaysian landscape, comes a tale of colour-blind compassion and kindness.

This is the story of a poverty-stricken family, whose Chinese New Year celebration has been made merrier by a neighbour, teacher and group of volunteers.

In a Facebook posting yesterday, teacher Mohd Fadli Salleh recalled how a woman, known only as Kak Yati, had contacted him regarding the matter.

“Cikgu. Saya Kak Yati dari PPR xxxx. Ada satu keluarga Cina di sini setiap hari datang tumpang mandi rumah saya sebelum ke sekolah. Boleh ke cikgu bantu keluarga ni?" read her message.

(Teacher, I am Kak Yati from PPR (name of the low-cost flat withheld). There is a Chinese family here, who have their bath in my house daily before going to school. Can you help this family?)

Mohd Fadli said he visited the family at the end of last year and was appalled by their living conditions.

“Their home looked like a 'tongkang pecah' (ship wreckage). No. A 'tongkang pecah' looks better.

“The father is unable to do hard work as he suffers from various chronic illnesses. Only his wife works as a cleaner at a hotel in Ampang.

“Their children are still in school. They are adorable. They greeted me and we chatted away. Haha,” he added.

According to Mohd Fadli, water supply to the house was cut because the family could not pay the rent. The outstanding rent amounted to thousands and an eviction notice had been issued.

Despite their poverty, the teacher pointed out that the parents did not neglect their children's education.

“When I arrived at their house, two of their children were not in. They were attending free tuition classes provided by the residents association.

“After chatting with them, I decided that I must help this family... At least to restore clean water supply,” he added.

Mohd Fadli said Kak Yati served as the middle person to negotiate with the PPR management and water supply was restored on the condition that the rent would be doubled.

Next on the “to do” list was to clean the rubbish, which had accumulated in the unit for years.

The father had collected these items with the hope of selling them to recycling plants but was unable to do so because the family lived on the 11th floor.

“I asked the help of Muhammad Irwan from the guerilla team 'Dana Kita'.

“The team conducted a 'gotong-royong' at the uncle's house and three lorries were needed to cart away the rubbish,” said Mohd Fadli.

Apart from this, he said, the unit was also repainted and fitted with curtains. The unit now boasts of a carpet as well as mattresses and pillows.

“This Chinese New Year, the family will celebrate it with happiness, which has eluded them for years. For years, nobody cared about them.

“Their race or religion do not matter. They were in dire straits and in need of help. To the best of our abilities, Dana Kita and I will help those in need regardless of race and religion.

“Happy Chinese New Year, uncle,” he added.

At the time of writing, Mohd Fadli's posting had garnered more than 34,000 “likes” and “loves”. Donations have also poured in from various races.

 - Mkini