KUALA LUMPUR – Despite the havoc wreaked by recent flash floods, displays of community bonding that dispel racial and religious misgivings continue to inspire and give hope to Malaysians.
One such instance of Malaysians coming together to help those in need is depicted in a video originally posted by Nallan Dhanabalan, Klang parliament coordinator for Parti Bangsa Malaysia.
@nallan.dh Semangat rakyat Malaysia tak kira bangsa dan agama. Bersama sama berganding bahu membersihkan kawasan kuil ❤️. Ini baru Malaysia ??##klangbanjir ##foryourpage ##bangsamalaysia ##tiktokmalaysia ##klangberduka
♬ Sedih - Instrumental - Asraf Studio
Posted yesterday, the video documented the efforts of young volunteers – including students from International Islamic University Malaysia – who were cleaning a Hindu temple in Klang.
Nallan’s video of the heartwarming event has since garnered upwards of 65,700 likes on TikTok, with the video also being shared on Twitter by local cartoonist Zunar.
“Yet another example of the people taking care of each other. Malaysians of numerous religious and racial backgrounds working together to clean a temple,” Zunar said in the tweet.
Lagi satu contoh RAKYAT JAGA RAKYAT. Rakyat Malaysia dari berbagai agama dan bangsa bergotong royong bersihkan kuil. pic.twitter.com/R3vcLOMFeg
— Zunar Cartoonist (@zunarkartunis) December 24, 2021
The uplifting video garnered an outpouring of positive messages from netizens celebrating the cultural diversity of volunteers working to restore a place of worship to its former glory.
In the aftermath of the devastating floods, which have been dubbed as one of the worst disasters in Malaysian history, netizens are seeing the unity among fellow Malaysians as a reminder that there is hope still for the future.
“The other day we got emotional when a Gurdwara Sahib provided a prayer space for Muslim volunteers. Today, we are emotional watching non-Hindus helping to clean a temple.
“This is our blessing as Malaysians. Although our politicians cannot be depended on, the people will rise to help each other,” Twitter user @amrashrv said, while citing a well-known Malay proverb which carries the meaning of individuals easily working together.
“Bagai aur dgn tebing”
— ?JoeYangSederhana? (@amrashrv_) December 25, 2021
Haritu sebak tgk Gurdwara Sahib sediakan tempat solat utk Muslim volunteers. Today sebak tengok non Hindus tolong bersihkan temple
Nikmat kita sebagai Malaysians lah ni. Meskipun ahli politik kita tak boleh diharap, rakyat bangkit utk tlg sesama sendiri https://t.co/SyZWAHK1vM
Twitter user @Matpian10 expressed a similar sentiment and called the actions in the video a representation of Malaysia’s actual nature, saying: “The spirit of the true Malaysian.”
The spirit of the true MALAYSIAN. ??
— pyan ?? metalmilitia (@Matpian10) December 24, 2021
Similarly moving responses were recorded when a video of several Indian boys cleaning up a mosque located near Klang made its rounds across social media platforms on December 23.
The video, which was also posted by Nallan, touched the hearts of many and served as another example of Malaysians coming together during times of crisis. – The Vibes, December 25, 2021
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