In the midst of Malaysia's ongoing economic challenges, people are eagerly seizing any available work opportunities to earn an honest living, tackling bills and accumulated debts.
Indeed, finding employment has become increasingly challenging, especially in a market where tech-savvy youth are thriving. Amidst these struggles, a common complaint revolves around the elusive work-life balance and the frustration of being undercompensated for the substantial workloads that many bear.
Hence, it's no surprise that a considerable number have chosen to venture into e-hailing or take on roles as food delivery riders. Despite the demanding and extended working hours, the potential for substantial earnings is the driving force behind this choice. This phenomenon has even prompted many Malaysians to leave their hometowns and flock to the bustling cities, where a higher volume of orders promises more lucrative opportunities.
E-Hailing Rider Goes Viral On TikTok
Recently a video of a rider walking along a road with his delivery bag has recently gained immense popularity on TikTok. The narrative behind this video reveals that the rider had his motorcycle seized by the Road Transportation Department (RTD) during a roadside operation in Bandar Baru Nilai, Negeri Sembilan.
At the time of writing, the video above had gained 7 million views on TikTok along with over 605k Likes and over 36k comments with netizens expressing their sympathy for the rider in response to the confiscation of his motorcycle. However, a particular comment from influencer Aisar Khaled stood out, in which he asked the original poster (OP) if they had access to the delivery rider's contact information. Regrettably, the OP responded that they had not had an opportunity to converse with the rider, who had walked away from the roadblock.
Aisar Eventually Locates The Rider And Had A Surprise For Him
Remarkably, aided by what appears to be online community members, Aisar successfully located the 26-year-old rider named Muhammad Shahrul. Aisar seized the opportunity to narrate the sequence of events that led to his visit to Shahrul's residence in Sepang, during which they engaged in a discussion about the incident.
In the video, Shahrul provided an account of his encounter with a roadblock while he was in the midst of making a delivery from Salak Tinggi to Nilai. He went on to narrate that during the roadblock, the authorities had inspected his credentials. Shahrul openly admitted that his motorcycle's road tax had expired, leading the officers to issue him a summons and request the surrender of his keys and motorcycle right there at the scene.
As he recounted this situation, Shahrul's eyes welled up with tears, expressing disbelief that the video had garnered such widespread attention. Being a food delivery rider, the confiscation of his motorbike is a devastating blow, as it is his essential means for making deliveries.
“It was my fault because my road tax had expired and I didn’t have insurance. Therefore, I agreed and didn’t argue with them,” he said to Harian Metro.
Much to Shahrul's astonishment, Aisar orchestrated a trip to a motorcycle dealership, where he unveiled a surprise—a brand-new motorcycle for Shahrul. Aisar's compassionate act moved Shahrul to tears, as it was a wholly unexpected gesture that showcased someone's genuine effort to help him in his time of need.
Before Shahrul resumed his work as a food delivery rider, Aisar also provided him with financial assistance, hoping it would offer further support during challenging moments like these.
Netizens Touched By The Act Of Kindness
At the time of writing, the video had gained over 13 million views on TikTok and many netizens had taken to the comment section to express their gratitude towards Aisar’s act of kindness and hopes that he will continue to spread the kindness to others in the future.
Here’s some of the comments:
With Aisar's generous support, we trust that Shahrul will persist in his dedication and view this experience as a valuable lesson to propel him forward.
It's truly heartwarming to witness the presence of compassionate Malaysians among us, demonstrating a spirit of mutual support even in challenging times.
If there's someone in need like this? Would you offer them a helping hand? Let us know in the comments!
*Sources: Visual and Reference Credits to Social Media, TikTok, Harian Metro & various cross-references for context.
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