A heart for social service: Bangsar resident Benedict Lopez makes a mark

KUALA LUMPUR – “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” 

While the late American president John F. Kennedy said this to inspire others to bring change in their respective communities, Bangsar resident Benedict Lopez continues to serve fellow residents without expectations.

Lopez, also known as Ben by his neighbours, was formerly a director of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) in Stockholm, Sweden and economics councillor at the Malaysian embassy there from 2010 to 2014.

Upon his retirement, Ben served as a director for a Danish company for five years before quitting during the pandemic to focus on community service.

Asking about what influenced him to commit to social service, Ben said that he has been helping out the community since 1965. 

“My father, Gibson Lopez, was the first president of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at Sacred Heart Church located in Peel Road, Kuala Lumpur. 

“I used to help his father in social services by distributing food rations to the poor every second Saturday of the month,” he told The Vibes.

When he grew up, Ben subsequently joined the Rawang Rotary Club, aiming to serve people in need, while his brother served as the president of the Gombak Rotary Club.

“I was also in the Rotary Club for many years because it was a community service project. 

“Our father instilled in us to perform community service,” he told The Vibes.

A self-made social activist, Ben plays his part by lodging reports with the Public Complaints Bureau (PCB) and other relevant government bodies upon discovering any issues affecting infrastructure and facilities, especially in Bangsar.

He often reports on issues such as abandoned cars on roads, dead animals, handrails for staircases and slippery areas, potholes, and malfunctioning street lights at dark areas for public safety.

When asked, Ben recalled that his first ever complaint made to the PCB was about rusty, abandoned cars with cracked windows parked indiscriminately along roadsides in Bangsar.

He opined that PCB as well as other authorities such as Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Alam Flora function effectively. 

“They are very effective and efficient government agencies. The moment I send the complaint, I get acknowledgement and they act on it and send it to the relevant government department.

“The time period depends on the issue. Sometimes it takes several days or weeks. If they have to order things (like handrails or lamps), it will take time,” he said.

The efficiency of the government agencies depends on the accountable officers too. 

“There is an officer named Mohamed Fahmil Kamal in Alam Flora who is very responsible and acts immediately. 

“We need more officers with a social conscience like him,” Ben said.

How does he make complaints?

“As mobile phones and the Internet are essential now, the steps to report issues like these are very easy.

“It doesn’t even cost anything at all. Take a photograph on your mobile phone, go to the PCB website and make a complaint with the media attachments.

 “You may lodge the complaint in either English or Malay, but I prefer Malay since it is a government agency.

“It’s very simple and straightforward,” he said, adding that his efforts have influenced others to take similar measures as well, including the youngsters in his family.

Social service for self satisfaction

When asked about his passion for community service, Ben said: “To do this kind of thing in life, you should have a moral and civic conscience.

“When you see something wrong, you have two options. One, you can be unbothered, that it is not your business (since) it doesn’t affect you. 

“Two, ask yourself: ‘Why should I do it? Why can't I do it?’

“Every time I see issues being fixed and resolved, it gives me tremendous satisfaction.

“As a human being and citizen who cares for and loves this country, I like to do anything that can improve the country when I see something wrong, whether it’s in my area or anywhere else, anybody in the country for that matter.

“I do it because community service is a part of my Catholic faith too,” he added.

Friends, neighbours laud Ben

Winson Low, a friend of Ben who runs a stationary shop, said that Ben has contributed a lot to the community by reporting damaged facilities here in Lucky Garden, Bangsar.

“I feel great about him because if anything needs it, I will call him to make a complaint and he will ensure that it gets fixed,” he said.

Another friend, Datuk A. Nelson, who has known him since his tenure as the Mida director, described him as a “fine gentleman”. 

He said Ben cares for senior citizens and goes out of his way to help people in need.

“Not just with infrastructure, but he helps in terms of getting assistance. 

“For instance, if we need any help with getting contacts of contractors, he helps immediately.

“Despite being retired, Ben always goes the extra mile when it comes to helping people. Maybe that is in his nature,” he said.

Nelson said one of the greatest things about Ben is he never claims credit, no matter how big the matter involved.

He said that Bangsar’s people are lucky to have a person like him.

Meanwhile, Ben’s neighbour Jaya Puri said he is very helpful and often lends a hand whenever needed. 

“Whatever the problem, we (neighbours) just call him. Since he was a civil servant, he knows how to make complaints (in the proper way).

“He doesn’t just complain, but he follows up on the issue until it is done”, she said, adding that the neighbours are lucky to have him in their residential area. – The Vibes, April 26, 2023