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A heartwarming, very Malaysian, Chinese New Year story
FMT Reporters | January 27, 2017
Indian odd-job worker builds house on his land for Chinese family and takes care of them in selfless act that attracts the attention, and assistance, of the Perak government.
SITIAWAN: It is one of those stories that not only warms the heart but also reinforces our faith in humanity.
An Indian odd-job worker here has built a house for a poor Chinese family of two on his own land and shares his family’s food with them.
And coming as it does during the Chinese New Year festive season, news of this caring man is even more touching.
A New Straits Times report says it is not surprising that R Saravanan, 39, has done this as he is known to the villagers of Kampung Spynie here for his selfless acts.
He recently built the 300 sq ft house for Siew Eng, 81 and her son, Ng Kem Leng, 55.
According to the report, Siew’s house was razed in a fire two years ago and they had nowhere to go. Her son, Ng, who is partially blind, is the only family she has.
“I didn’t expect to be treated like this by Saravanan and his family,” she told the NST.
“Although we are of different race and religion, he treats me just like his own mother. His family is helpful, too, and always share their food with us, especially breakfast.
“I thought there are no longer any good people in this world, but I was wrong,” she said.
Siew told the NST she did not know how she would ever repay Saravanan and his family for their help.
For Saravanan, it is not important whether the person is Chinese, Malay or Indian because he believes that essentially we are human beings and we need each other.
“I just want to help Siew who I call her ‘amma’. She is my mother, my ‘amma’. I built the house for her since she has nowhere to go and she could not salvage anything during the incident. Every morning, I will bring her to the wet market to buy some fish and vegetables.
“I love her just like my own mother,” The NST quoted him as saying. He also said he could not wait to celebrate the Chinese New Year with Siew and her son.
The news has attracted the attention of Perak Menteri Besar Zambry Abd Kadir. Zambry said Saravanan’s selfless act and generosity, and his “extraordinary” neighbourly spirit, should be emulated by everyone, according to the report.
He spent about 30 minutes visiting Siew at her home, during which time he announced that the state government, through Yayasan Bina Upaya, would build a new house for Siew, and that it would be completed this year.
The NST quoted Siew as saying: “This is like the best Chinese New Year gift for me. I could never afford it and I know that by just saying thank you, it is not enough.
“I will finally get to stay in my own home but I will never forget what Saravanan’s family has done for my family.”
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com ... ese-new-year-story/
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Post time 28-1-2017 02:24 AM
变色卡
