Acts of kindness: (from right) Ouyang and Liow handing supplies for disabled Mohd Syukri, 24, in Taman Chegar Medang, Bentong, as Mohd Syukri’s mother Maznah Hassan leans in to receive the donation. — ART CHEN/The Star
BENTONG: The usually quiet Kampung Benus here received a visit from China’s Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing, much to the delight of the villagers.
The ambassador, who came with donations and aid for folks affected by recent flash floods, also celebrated Malaysia Day with them.
“I’m happy to be here in Kampung Benus.
“Although this is my first time here, I could feel the warmth,” he said in his speech.
Ouyang attributed this to the fact that the embassy had an “irrevocable bond” with the village, which began during Ramadan in April this year.
Through an arrangement by the Yayasan Ikram Malaysia (Ikram), the Minister of the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Tang Rui, visited the village and donated aid to people affected by a flash flood.
“Then, in June, we coordinated with the China Communications Construction Corporation, which is responsible for the construction of the East Coast Rail Link project, and donated two lifeboats and many life jackets to help the villagers cope with the flood and rebuild their homes.
“Today, we returned to the village for the third time. With the support and cooperation from Ikram, we prepared food baskets, school bags, and other living and study necessities for nearly 400 villagers and students, hoping to help relieve some of their burden,” he said during the visit yesterday.
Ouyang said giving back to society and helping those in distress is a noble act in Islamic teaching and a traditional Chinese value.
He said that the Malay saying “bukit sama didaki, lurah sama dituruni” (in good and bad times we stick together) was an apt way to describe how China and Malaysia get along.
“During the pandemic, China and Malaysia assisted each other in various ways, such as medical supplies, information sharing in fighting the pandemic, and vaccine supplies.”
And during the floods, he said, the embassy and Chinese enterprises in Malaysia assisted with donations and reconstruction work.
“Today’s event is yet another beautiful story that celebrates our good friendship, and I believe there will be more to come,” he said.
Ouyang noted that next year is the 10th anniversary of Malaysia-China’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Also, 2024 will see 50 years of diplomatic ties between China and Malaysia, which will open up more opportunities for both countries, he said.
“I believe that with the concerted efforts of the governments and people of the two countries, China-Malaysia relations will continue to develop healthily and create a more stable, prosperous and sustainable future,” he said.
As for the Malaysia Day celebrations, Ouyang said: “The day is an important moment to demonstrate the harmony, diversity, unity, stability and prosperity of all ethnic groups in Malaysia.”
Also present at the event were Ikram chief executive officer Kamsani Nasir, Tunku Abdul Rahman University College board of governors chairman and former Bentong MP Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai and other guests.
Ikram – a consolidation of education and humanitarian NGOs – has been taking moderate and progressive positions in promoting Islamic revivalism.
It has a strong, active grassroots network that works to make Malaysians’ everyday lives better.
Together with Kamsani and Liow, Ouyang also visited the homes of three army veterans and presented them with donations and aid.
Liow thanked Ouyang, who came to Malaysia at the height of the pandemic, for coming to Kampung Benus for his first “on the ground” visit to the people following Malaysia’s gradual border opening in April.
“It is rare to have Ambassador Ouyang in a village on Malaysia Day. This shows that he cares,” he said, adding that he was also thankful to Ikram for lending a helping hand.
Calling on all Malaysians to cherish unity and harmony, Liow said there was a need to strengthen these values from time to time.
“We are multiracial and yet we have a common goal of developing our nation – to better our economy so that we can improve our lives.
“Following two years of challenges brought about by the pandemic, I urge everyone to soldier on with resilience. Let’s work hard and bring our villages, society and country to greater success,” he said.
Liow also noted that 15 flood mitigation projects were laid out for Bentong; four of them have been completed.
“One is coming up along Sungai Penjuring, while nine others are expected to be completed by next month,” he said.
Some 400 village houses were flooded with 2,000 people displaced during a major flood at Kampung Benus on Dec 18 last year.
Three months later, another flash flood hit the village, causing more folks to lose their homes and belongings.
