MALAYSIANS, regardless of race and religion, have been showing their altruistic side by helping the needy especially now, during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Such heartwarming instances can be seen in various states nationwide, including Sabah.
News of government and non-governmental bodies (NGO) organising charity drives and programmes to assist the less fortunate have been widely reported, attesting to the presence of many big-hearted folk out there.
Even individuals affected by the pandemic themselves are putting their problems aside and looking into the needs of others.
Young children, too, are not to be left out as some are eager to help the less fortunate.
Recently, nine-year-old Olivia Kwan from Likas used her birthday ang pow money to buy bags of rice for the poor.
Her charitable act benefitted more than 100 families in the city.
“We are Malaysians, we must help one another,” she said.
A local fishmonger in Donggongon, Penampang shared three days’ worth of fish and seafood to help needy folk during one of the movement control orders.
All the poor needed to do was head to the market to get seafood supply from trader Ritchie Nieh.
Sabahans joined by other volunteers in Kuala Lumpur packing food baskets for needy Sabah natives living in the city
Nieh, 28, said he gave to anyone, regardless of race or nationality, and they could take what they required.
Those who did not know how to organise charity drives took to social media to offer food, used clothes and other items on various sites including a group called “Beli Nothing Project” who reached out to people via Facebook.
Likewise, Good Samaritans logged on to their personal social media accounts to assist the public.
They shared posts asking those requiring assistance to drop them a personal message so arrangements could be made to help them out.
The Star witnessed policemen, going from one place to another, carrying food baskets to be handed to those in need.
Kota Kinabalu OCPD Asst Comm Zaidi Abdullah said the food baskets donation was courtesy of a programme by Home Ministry (KDN) as well as a separate initiative by the Sabah cops.
A happy Samara with the gingerbread biscuits that her mother made for sale. The funds were then donated to the less fortunate.
“Ops Bantu is a KDN effort. We identify families that need help and send food baskets to them.
“The police initiative, named Ops Kasih, is where funds are raised among ourselves to buy groceries for people in the Kota Kinabalu area who needed food,” he said adding that it was hoped that such programmes would help foster better police-community relations in crime prevention.
ACP Zaidi said the men in blue were keen to provide some form of relief to those experiencing difficulties during the pandemic.
People in need of assistance were also encouraged to speak up on social media platforms, and let others know of their plight so that benevolent individuals could reach out to them.
Those in dire straits learned that they should ask for help if they could not cope, following increased awareness of mental health after several suicide incidents nationwide.
Although there were opportunists and cases of fraud detected online, people were quick to support each other by sharing personal stories on “fake cases” to prevent others from being cheated.
Meanwhile, some Good Samaritans set up food banks at their homes, grocery stores, eateries and even nearby schools to spread goodwill.
Policemen in Kota Kinabalu carrying food packages to be given to the less fortunate.
A restaurateur near Dongonggon organised a charity drive-through for food delivery riders, who were given packets of free fish noodles, to show appreciation for the work they did.
There was also a couple in the Vista Kiranau area, in the Penampang district, whose food bank initiative benefitted hundreds of families.
In some neighbourhoods, residents hung freshly harvested fruits and vegetables at their backyards for people to take, besides sharing fresh fish with passers-by.
Needy Sabahans living in Peninsular Malaysia received help from a fellow Sabahan who teamed up with a local food aid organisation to coordinate and source for food baskets to tide them over.
Last Christmas, five-year-old Samara Evarani Koginavaan Nathan asked her mother to bake biscuits and gingerbread men for sale so that the earnings could be donated to her friends at the Don Bosco Children’s Home in Bundu Tuhan, Ranau in Sabah.
Larger supermarket and hypermarket chains set up designated areas for customers to spare a thought and donate groceries to the needy.
Animals also got some love as a veterinarian in Cyber City near Kota Kinabalu did his part by giving free pet food, free vaccines and check-ups for animals.
The vet also collaborated with NGOs to spay, neuter and treat wounded strays while helping struggling pet owners deal with their pets.
Dr Paza has strays and rescued animals close to his heart.
Dr Randolf Paza said he would try and help as many animals as he could, with or without support from others.
He was, however, thankful for the help from kind-hearted folk, the donations and assistance received in his mission to help stray animals.
“You may hate them but don’t hurt them,” he advised.
These kind gestures are acts that bring Malaysians together in showcasing unity, harmony and understanding among the people.
In August, Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor expressed his appreciation and gratitude to all those who came forward to help the community in any way they could during the Covid-19 pandemic.
He said many including NGOs, corporate bodies and individuals reached out to the needy, regardless of race and religion.
“This shows that we live in a loving and caring community where we help each other in times of difficulty despite our differences,” he was reported as saying.