‘Glad to help, we just wanted them to return home safely', say Ladang Bikam villagers

PETALING JAYA: Lee Weng Foong did not expect to attract attention for lending a helping hand to stranded Malay travellers returning to Kuala Lumpur after the Hari Raya festivities.

Lee was part of a group of residents in Kampung Baru Pelawan near Langkap, Perak, who helped repair a dirt road to make it passable to cars returning to the city last Saturday.

"We are very happy to be able to help everyone.

"I was surprised when our video went viral and was moved to receive praise when I read positive comments from netizens who appreciated our efforts.

"Thank you for the appreciation, we only helped as much as we could.

"We just wanted all of them to return home safely. That was most important," he told Sinar Harian on Tuesday (April 16).

Lee, 52, said he did not expect the small gesture of his village to get attention on social media.

Fellow resident, Chung Kok Keong, 53, said that the oil palm plantation road has become an alternative road to avoid congestion for the past few years.

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He added that his village is located between the main road that connects Chui Chak to Bidor and Kuala Bikam.

"So this 3km farm road has become a shortcut for road users who want to avoid traffic jams every festive season.

"It was strange that night when many vehicles turned back.

"We stopped a car and then found out that the road was damaged and could not be used," he said.

Chung said he along with several other residents agreed to help level the road to make it easier for the cars to continue their journey to Kuala Lumpur.

"We contacted a friend who has an excavator and was willing to help level the road so that the vehicles could pass through the road.

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"We only thought to help them because we knew that the road levelling works would take a short while.

"It took us less than 10 minutes and that night dozens of cars were able to pass the route," he added.

The incident when viral on social media after Zairul Annuar Mohd Zin shared the touching encounter when he and wife made their congested journey back to the city in a Facebook video post.

Zairul expressed his admiration for the concern shown by the residents in the area when passing through the oil palm plantation.