“Hutang emas boleh dibayar, hutang budi dibawa mati”
“One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind”
- Traditional Malaysian Proverb.
IT is in these tough and difficult times that we are reminded even more how random acts of kindness, no matter how small or inconsequential they may seem, can truly uplift the nation's spirits and tide us together through our challenges.
In conjunction with this year’s Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebrations, Grab is paying tribute to our driver and delivery-partner community for their acts of kindness and generosity – many of which often go unnoticed. Therefore, Grab has collaborated with homegrown Malaysian artist, Jon Tham, to visualise these heartwarming stories in fun and quirky caricatures.
As part of the celebration, Grab will be releasing compilations of these stories in three installments from now till Malaysia Day – each themed with a different value that represents the Malaysian spirit.
The first theme in this trilogy is thoughtfulness and generosity and depicts small gestures that have made a difference in the lives of Malaysians. Tham, a full-time artist and graphic designer, has made valiant efforts to incorporate the element of support and charity for different communities through his artwork. His most recent initiative saw him creating a comic strip to help raise funds for a restaurant manager who lost his job during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I was really excited when Grab approached me with this effort. With so much going on around us right now, I believe that it is important for Malaysians to be reminded of the small gestures of kindness that happen every day – especially by those on the frontlines. As we continue to embrace the new normal, I hope these short stories encourage everyone to continue looking out for one another,” said Jon Tham, local comic artist.
Hassan Alsagoff, Country Marketing Head of Grab Malaysia, shared the inspiration behind the effort. “Malaysia has gone through a whirlwind of emotions this past year. And we want to spread the message that despite all the difficulty and confusion we may be facing, it is Malaysians uplifting each other in simple efforts that makes the most difference.
"This Merdeka and Malaysia Day, we want to celebrate the acts of kindness by our driver and delivery partners that have brightened our consumers’ day. We hope these small efforts encourage all Malaysians to embody the spirit of being Malaysian and to show our neighbours that all it takes is a little kindness to bring joy in the lives of those around us.”
These simple yet heartwarming stories shared by users show how Grab’s driver and delivery-partners have gone above and beyond to serve the community. And they represent the different values that make up what it means to be Malaysian – something that should be remembered and cherished as we celebrate the country’s independence.
As the nation prepares for an eventful Merdeka and Malaysia Day celebration, let’s remember that it is through unity that the rakyat will be able to pull through difficult and challenging times. No matter the hardships to come, Malaysia is stronger together so let's support one another and embody what it means to be Malaysian by showing a little kindness to one another. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
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