When the recent floods occurred in Johor and Pahang, a group of volunteers banded together to help the victims. Although there are many more heroes without capes out there, FMT speaks with four of them.
Among them is pensioner Tony Lian, or Uncle Tony, as he is popularly known. The 73-year-old went to Chaah and Batu Pahat in Johor, and Mentakab in Pahang on three separate occasions this month after receiving calls for help from the flood victims there.
However, given that he and his team of volunteers from his charity organisation Food4U are not trained for flood rescue, they had to wait for the waters to subside.
“Although we are not trained in rescue work, what we have is the passion to tell flood victims that we’re here to support and provide what they need,” he said.
“When I saw their faces and body language, I could tell they were really traumatised. Can you imagine seeing your home submerged in water? Everything was destroyed in the blink of an eye.”
The volunteers distributed essential food items, kitchen appliances, and even new clothes instead of preloved ones. The funds for these items came from the public – something Uncle Tony is deeply grateful for.
“A little act of kindness can help to heal the pain of those who are suffering in silence,” he said.
‘All human beings’
Among the volunteers on Uncle Tony’s team was Indonesian-Chinese Michelle Roux, 46, who has lived in Malaysia for 20 years.
“I thought to myself, if that happened to me, how would I feel? After losing many of their belongings in the flood, [the victims] have to start all over again. And some of them may not have enough money to replace what they lost,” she told FMT.
Although not a Malaysian, she has regularly participated in Uncle Tony’s initiatives to feed the poor and homeless.
“We are all human beings, and I don’t look at a person’s race or nationality,” she added.
For the love of Batu Pahat
The day after he celebrated his 41st birthday, Khairil Hisham Samsudin joined Uncle Tony and his team in Parit Raja, Batu Pahat. He is a volunteer with Angkatan Sukarelawan Asas Sejahtera (Asas), an NGO that collaborated with Food4U to assist flood victims in the town.
“I’ve seen houses submerged and cars floating in flood waters. But I was saddest when I saw senior citizens who had to be relocated to relief centres,” he told FMT.
More than compassion, there is another reason he is compelled to help even while fasting for Ramadan: his love for Batu Pahat, where he has lived for over three decades.
“Thankfully, my house is not affected, but I consider it my responsibility to help others,” the business owner said.
“I understand that not everyone can volunteer due to various commitments. But if you can, come and join us if there is another flood. After all, calamities happen unexpectedly, so let’s help as much as we can.”
Of boats and a four-wheel drive
The Food4U team also sent 100 packets of rice and old clothes to support Charles Ng, 61, a volunteer who has been helping the Orang Asli community in Pahang for more than three decades.
In the aftermath of the floods, Ng travelled to distribute essential food items, clothes, and medicine to the Orang Asli in Rompin, Bera and Maran in the state.
“Some of the houses were submerged in water and most of the access roads to these villages were cut off,” the retired teacher from Mentakab shared.
Owing to the persistent floods in the area, Ng has bought eight fibreglass boats for the villagers. “They used the boat to meet me at a location that was accessible via my four-wheel drive,” he shared.
Two of the boats were sponsored by Uncle Tony, while the others were purchased using Ng’s personal funds and contributions from his friends.
“I hope the public will be more conscious of the plight of the Orang Asli,” he added. “If you hear about floods in Pahang, please send food items, old clothes, medicines, and mineral water.”
If you can help, contact:
- Food4U at 017-881 2666
- Uncle Tony at 018-208 0840
Follow Food4U on Facebook, Instagram, or email [email protected] for more information.
Food4U
42A, Jalan Sunway 2/12
Bandar Sunway Semenyih
43500 Semenyih