by Leang Tian Loong
It was around 6.30 in the evening on Friday, Aug 1, when my car suddenly broke down on a road near Overseas Union Garden on my way home.
The engine stalled without warning at a junction, leaving me stranded amidst heavy traffic. I tried repeatedly to restart the ignition, but it was futile.
The car refused to budge, and due to its weight, I was unable to push it aside on my own while also handling the steering wheel.
As I stood by the roadside feeling helpless, dozens of cars passed by. Some drivers gave blank stares, others didn’t even look my way.
A sense of isolation deepened as dusk crept in and daylight faded into the shadows.
Just when I was starting to feel completely abandoned, a car suddenly stopped in front of me. A Malay man stepped out, walked over, and without hesitation began helping me push the car to the side of the road while I steered.
Not long after, another car pulled up and three more Malay men got out. They, too, came forward to offer their assistance.
These four men — Sdra Afiq, Sdra Bakri Hassan, and his two sons, Daniel and Redzuan — restored my faith in humanity that evening. They tried jump-starting my car with cables, but to no avail.
We called a battery supplier, only to be told that help would take at least another hour. Without a second thought, one of the men removed the battery from his car and used it to start mine.
Miraculously, the engine roared to life, confirming that the issue was with the battery — not the alternator or starter.
But their kindness didn’t stop there. Sdra Bakri even helped drive my car while the others followed closely behind, ready to step in should the car stall again.
Thanks to their persistence and selflessness, we managed to find a battery shop just as it was about to close.
After a quick test, the mechanic confirmed the battery had “died” and needed to be replaced.
What struck me most was the humility and genuine goodwill of these four individuals. When I offered them money for refreshments and to buy them dinner as a token of appreciation, they politely declined.
They didn’t help for praise or reward — they did it because it was the right thing to do.
As Malaysia prepares to celebrate its 68th Hari Merdeka at the end of this month, the actions of Afiq, Bakri, Daniel and Redzuan serve as a powerful reminder of what it truly means to be Malaysian. They looked beyond race, religion, or creed to help a fellow countryman in distress.
If more of us were to emulate the example set by these four selfless men, Malaysia would undoubtedly be a more harmonious and compassionate place to live — a true paradise on earth.
Terima kasih Sdra Afiq, Bakri, Daniel & Redzuan!
WE