KUALA LUMPUR: Selfless Malaysians, despite having barely enough to care for themselves amid economic hardships, have gone to the aid of those who have raised the white flag.
One Malaysian who was forced to ask for help was Mohd Nor Abdullah, 29, who was born with congenital amputation, which means he has no arms since birth.
Last week, after finding out about the #benderaputih social media campaign, he raised the white flag outside the window of his rented room at a shophouse in Cheras.
The nasi lemak seller did this out of desperation, as he has not had any income for the last four months.
Hours after his plight was highlighted by the New Straits Times and social media platforms, Malaysians from all over the Klang Valley reached out to him, sending food and other essentials to his rented room.
Mohd Nor said he used to sell nasi lemak downstairs from where he lives, but was forced to close his stall four months ago.
This was because his friend, who supplied him the nasi lemak, could not travel due to the restrictions of the Movement Control Order (MCO).
He receives RM600 from Baitulmal and a RM400 disability aid from the Welfare Department each month. From that, RM350 goes towards rent while at least RM200 is channelled to his mother.
"She is facing a hard time too, as she is raising my two younger step-siblings.
"After being unable to do business earlier this year, I was in a tight spot and didn't know what else to do."
He said while his neighbours tried to help him out by sharing their food, they were also barely earning enough to stay afloat.
"As such, I had to swallow my pride and raise the white flag for help."
Mohd Nor said things changed when the NST article came out and his plea for help went viral on social media.
"I was stunned. So many people reached out to provide help by sending me food and other necessities. I'm speechless at the generosity. I will be sharing the aid with my neighbours."
Two people who responded to Mohd Nor's plea for aid were auxiliary policeman Mohamad Zaharol Mohamad Rozi, and his wife Nurul Syafiqah Mohd Amer, both aged 24.
Despite their own struggles and limitations, they gathered what they could and delivered the aid to Mohd Nor from their home in Batu 10, Cheras.
Zaharol, originally from Gua Musang, Kelantan, knows all about living a hand-to-mouth existence, having come from a poor background himself.
His parents were rubber tappers and worked hard to make ends meet to raise him and nine other siblings.
"Growing up, there were countless times when we did not having anything to eat or ate very little of a simple meal.
"When my wife told me about Mohd Nor's plight, we felt we had to help him.
"My wife comes from a similar background as I do, and we both know the struggles he is going through."
Zaharol said he and his wife brought instant noodles, biscuits, cookies, packet drinks, mineral water, bread, and snacks.
"He told us he lived in a small rented room and didn't have a kitchen, so we brought food that he can easily eat and which can last long.
"We also got him a new pillow so that he can sleep better," said Zaharol.
Two other Malaysians who came to Mohd Nor's aid were Casarina Raimee, 24, and Nur Syaza Halim, 25, both of whom work as clerks with Pantai Hospital in Ampang.
Casarina said they were scrolling through Facebook when they saw an article on Mohd Nor.
"We both decided that we would pool whatever money we could spare and help get food and groceries for him so that he is able to survive and get by for the time being."
Casarina said while they did not have much, they were nevertheless touched by his plight and decided to help in any way they could.
"We don't come from well-off families. We earn just about enough to fend for ourselves and send some money home to our parents.
"But at a time when so many people, even those with families, are losing their jobs and don't know where their next meal is coming from, we cannot just stand by and do nothing.
"Our contribution may not be much, but at least he will not go hungry and starve, or do unthinkable things out of desperation," she said.