A reflection of a caring Malaysia

A STORY carried in The Star on Aug 3 has gone viral on social media, with some saying that it brought tears to their eyes. Head-lined “A bond he didn’t expect” (online at bit.ly/star_bond), it was about a lawyer who took pity on an impoverished shoplifter and selflessly helped her, and how more than two decades later, was reconnected with her and her son.

The compassion shown by lawyer Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar in helping a Malaysian Indian woman who had stolen a pencil box for her son is a wake-up call for all of us to help and show compassion to our fellow citizens who need help, irrespective of race.

Ahmad Zaharil went from the courthouse to the boy’s school, from the school to the supermarket, and from the supermarket back to the courthouse in search of a solution for the woman’s plight. The compassion he showed elicited a generous response: The teacher accompanied him to the supermarket; later, the magistrate did not impose a fine and merely bound the woman over to a good behaviour bond. After that, Ahmad Zaharil dug into his pocket to give the woman some money – and lo and behold, the court staff and the policeman on duty also chipped in! What a touching story for all caring Malaysians.

A single act of kindness can change the lives of those in need. The mother never forgot her benefactor and the son, now a lawyer too, expressed gratitude. Now the two families are bonded as true Malaysians, sans prejudice, visiting each other, respecting each other’s cultures and beliefs, and not being judgemental.

Ahmad Zaharil said it was one of the happiest moments of his life when the woman’s son approached him and reminded him of his act of kindness that helped the boy to complete his studies and become a lawyer too.

Let us all take a moment to appreciate and learn from this episode, which is a true reflection of the values of a caring Malaysia.

TAN SRI LEE LAM THYE

Kuala Lumpur