KUALA LUMPUR: A Malay lawyer saving a needy Indian mother from jail, an Indian doctor caring for his homeless Chinese school teacher, and a Chinese event manager adopting three orphaned Malay brothers exemplify how compassion can bridge ethnic divides despite religious and cultural differences.
Lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar, neurosurgeon Dr Parthiban, and manager Michael Tong Wai Siong were honoured for their kind deeds by the Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia (BEIM) as recipients of the 2024 Golden Ethical Hearts Award.
On Tuesday (Nov 19), these individuals were awarded medals and certificates at BEIM's annual Five Petal Gold Ethics Award ceremony at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian & Country Resort.
Ahmad Zaharil urged Malaysians to overcome any feelings that hinder national unity and to come together as one race.
"Look deep in your hearts and find the tiny dot reminding us we are all part of the Malaysian race. Compassion for each other should be as natural as for our own families," said the 58-year-old criminal lawyer.
Parthiban, 56, expressed gratitude to his primary school teacher Lioe Sie Luan, who showed him kindness during his challenging childhood, treating him as her own son.
"Lao Ser," now in her 90s, ensured Parthiban never went hungry at school.
"Caring for Lao Ser is a small gesture compared to her kindness. As Malaysians, we should be colour-blind and show kindness to all," said Parthiban, who recently visited Lioe in Kedah during Deepavali.
Tong, who raised the orphaned siblings for 16 years, expressed appreciation for the recognition by BEIM.
"After learning of their parents' death, my only concern was for the boys to grow up together and have a good life. I urge Malaysians to accept each other without boundaries and always show love," said the 55-year-old, also the only Chinese recipient of the National Maulidur Rasul Award in Sept.
BEIM Chairman K Haridas Nair noted that the annual event traditionally recognises companies practising integrity and ethical values.
This year, the institute decided to honour individuals for similar qualities with the Golden Ethical Hearts Award, making Ahmad Zaharil, Parthiban, and Tong the first recipients.
Haridas emphasised BEIM's mission to encourage companies to adopt ethical policies and avoid corrupt practices.
"We face challenges in a not ethics-friendly ecosystem, where some businesses engage in corruption to secure contracts. We commend companies that prioritise ethics," he said.
Former Malaysian Bar president and ex-Bersih chairman Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan and representatives from companies contributing to the award, such as Malayan Adjustment Company Sdn Bhd, Domico Gems Sdn Bhd, and Duopharma Biotech Berhad, attended the ceremony.
The stories of Ahmad Zaharil and Parthiban were exclusively featured in The Star in Aug last year and Jan, respectively.
