MELAKA: A local couple is surprised that their simple act of coming to the aid of a woman who fainted in a restaurant here would touch the hearts of thousands of Malaysians.
Zulkifle Mohamad Nor, 69, and his wife, Sharifah Salim, 64, said they were simply acting out of compassion for a fellow human being when they helped the woman.
The couple, when met at their home in Bertam Ulu here, said the incident occurred at a restaurant in Bukit Rambai here on April 5.
Zulkifle said he and his wife noticed the young woman, believed to be in her 20s, sitting alone and visibly unwell.
"We were concerned and approached her before contacting a medical officer to assess her.
"Shortly afterwards, the woman began vomiting profusely," he said.
Zulkifle said he was deeply saddened by the fact that the woman was not with any family or companions.
"I kept thinking: 'What if she was my daughter?' and we just knew we had to help," he said.
A picture of the couple gently cleaning the woman's hands and fingers went viral.
"We acted out of compassion. I never expected it to gain so much attention," said Zulkifle, who owns two petrol stations in Melaka.
Sharifah said her husband has always been generous and caring.
"I was so moved by his actions. He's always had a big heart. I hope more Malaysians will follow his example – to be kind and to lend a hand, even to strangers," she said.
Hazwani Mohd Dah, who was also in the restaurant at the time, described how the couple tended to the woman until an ambulance arrived in a Facebook post.
The post went viral and amassed nearly 4,000 shares, over 16,000 reactions, and hundreds of comments praising the couple's humility and kindness.
The couple's kindness not only drew praise online but also earned them a complimentary stay at Shah Beach Resort here.
"This is the kind of heartwarming humanity we need more of in our society," said the resort's general manager Dennis Samford.
