Heng to flood victims: Let’s sail thru the hardship with the spirit of 1Malaysia

By today, newspapers and netizens have reported about the enormous goodwill of bilal Sapno Tukijo who without hesitation, nor consideration of one’s race and religion, immediately opened the doors of the surau to welcome in and shelter flood victims.  

The flood waters that have inundated Penang knows no discrimination. Likewise, rescue missions and benevolence know no boundaries. Such altruistic actions are indeed holy and serve as an inspiration of the 1Malaysia spirit deserve the loudest applause and should be emulated by all especially by people in authority who have spouted religious and racial bigotry.

At a time when religious extremists have unfairly and unnecessarily tarnished the sacred religion of Islam by spouting religious segregation be it disallowing Muslims to send their children to Chinese schools, or get haircuts from non-Muslim barbers or the “Muslims-only launderette”, bilal Sapno’s concern for others who profess another faith represents the true teachings of Islam – a religion based on compassion, mercy and justice.

Put yourself in the shoes of others

To keyboard warriors who are condemning the victims as not being appropriately attired inside a bilal, kindly put yourselves in their position and use some common sense. With flood waters already at chest level, and the fears and anxiety that the waters would soon rise above one’s head, one’s life is at stake (bearing in mind that 3 senior citizens had drowned). There is simply no time for anyone – be it the victim or bilal Sapno Tukijo to be fussy with a narrow-minded obsession of dress codes. The ultimate aim of rescuing as many lives as possible takes precedence, and surely in any faith, the Almighty in the afterworld values favourably on lives saved, rather than faulting on (im)modesty in such a life-and-death situation.

Federal government is colour blind in humanitarian mission

Meanwhile, the pro-active actions by the Malaysian Armed Forces in immediately attending to relief works at 1:30a.m. and the Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi instantly agreeing to DAP Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s appeal for help without any political rhetoric deserve highest tribute. Such swift responses reinforce that the federal government is matured, and alleviates humanitarian mission in an efficient and effective manner without any thought of political sabre-rattling. Rescuing lives, reconstruction of Penang post-flood disaster to help affected victims rebuild their lives soonest possible are more important than political differences and Wanita MCA is indeed glad the federal government sets a good example.

In addition, our party’s Crisis Relief Squad of MCA (CRSM) and the YouthCare Malaysia Movement (both of which are very experienced in flood deluge relief works) are already on the ground since the floodwaters built up on 5 Nov 2017. Both are cleaning up places muddied by the flood waters, or distributing relief supplies.

Compliments must also be heaped on all other NGOs or individuals who have sojourned to Penang for fundraising efforts or to assist in alleviating the predicaments currently faced by all Penang residents irrespective of political affiliations.  

Datuk Heng Seai Kie
Wanita MCA Chairman
Adviser of Prime Minister Department (National Unity & Integration) 
Deputy President of  the National Council of Women Organisation (NCWO)

-MCA online-