‘I WAS JUST HELPING SOMEONE’
Teen says he didn’t do anything special in helping man cross a road
UNIVERSITY student Samuel Tin had not expected that his act of kindness would go a long way with the public. Tin, 19, was the youth seen holding an elderly man’s hand, who was on his way to the Al-Falah Mosque in USJ 9 for Friday prayers.
His act of kindness, which was captured in several photographs by a passer-by, was applauded, especially among the Muslim community. The photos went viral after they were shared on Facebook by Rakan Muslimah AlFalah II and received strong, positive reactions from Netizens.
Tin, who is humbled by the praises, said he did not do anything special.
He just responded to someone who needed help.
He said people were living in a time of increasing cynicism about the nation’s multiracial harmony, which had been subject to misinformation and fear-mongering.
Tin, who studied at SMK USJ 8, believed that if people helped each other, this would boost ties.
“I hope my action will spur people to do what they believe is right.
“With a little courage, we can contribute to innumerable acts of kindness,” he told the New Straits Times.
Tin, a second-year Performing Arts student at Sunway University, received many encouraging messages from friends after his act of kindness went viral.
However, some asked him if he had done it to have the photographs taken.
In recalling the incident, Tin, who is from a Christian family, was running errands with his younger sister when they saw the elderly man struggling to cross the road.
It was raining and the senior citizen, known as Pak Ali among the mosque’s congregation, was gesturing for help.
Tin got out of his car and went to lend a hand to Pak Ali, who was struggling to walk.
“My parents have taught me not to hesitate in doing the right thing, and have faith that the right action will be vindicated.
“Our desire for righteousness must always be stronger than the pressure of public disapproval.”