Touching tales show Malaysians are not heartless

PETALING JAYA: They heard neither her cries nor the cracking sound of her skull as she fell, but listeners of a breakfast show said their heart bled when they read the morning news that some people had just walked past an elderly snatch theft victim without lifting a finger to help.

Red FM was inundated with calls when it highlighted the Wednesday incident at the Rifle Range Flats in Penang, with a CCTV footage showing Tan Kim Chuan, 60, lying on the road for about seven minutes after a motorcyclist grabbed her handbag.

Several people were seen walking by without stopping to help.

Three good samaritans later came to lift her to the side of the road and called for an ambulance. Tan died nine hours later at the Penang Hospital.

Despite the seemingly heartless attitude shown by some people, the listeners of The All New Red Breakfast Show said it would not be fair to judge these passers-by as uncaring.

They believe Malaysians are generally a concerned lot and several listeners shared with the radio station incidents of help that came when it was needed most.

One woman told show hosts Lil Kev and Sarimah Ibrahim that a cabbie drove her all the way from KL to Lumut in Perak without charging her a sen after he learned she had just escaped a sexual assault by another taxi driver.

“The cabbie said he had a daughter and would want others to help his daughter, too, in such a situation,” the caller said, her voice choking.

However, one caller said his uncle was mugged when he went over to help a motorcyclist who appeared to be in distress.

“Sarimah and I had tears in our eyes listening to the stories of our callers. it shows malaysians care” said Lil Kev.

Star Rfm Sdn Bhd assistant programme manager Nisha Sundrum said from yesterday, the radio station's popular morning show will brand Thursdays as random acts of kindness day.

“Listeners can call in if their car breaks down on the road and perhaps other listeners can go to their rescue if they are nearby,” said Nisha.