The elderly man’s heroics came to light after domestic trade and consumer affairs minister Alexander Nanta Linggi shared on Facebook the incident which happened this morning.

The young man, a domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry enforcement officer, had collapsed due to the searing heat during a ministry event.

While the officer’s peers held their positions, his uncle, who had raised him after his parents’ died, rushed to his side to prop him up until the officer regained consciousness.

“Seeing the father’s actions brought tears to my eyes. It was a sight to behold,” Nanta, who thought the elderly man was the officer’s father, said in his Facebook post.

He noted that the old man’s slipper had come off as he rushed to the officer’s aid but he did not turn back for it despite the heat of the tarred road.

“All that mattered to him was that he was by his son’s side,” Nanta said.

While Nanta thought the elderly man was the boy’s father, Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki later clarified that the enforcement officer was Nik Mohd Adhar, while the elderly man who rushed to his side was his uncle Abdul Aziz Ya’acob who raised him.

The march was held in conjunction with the domestic trade and consumer affairs ministry’s Enforcement Day.

Social media users flooded the comment section of Nanta’s post applauding the elderly man for his unwavering love and support.

Facebook user Elyn Melinda said it seemed like the elderly man was whispering words of encouragement to the officer: “Stand up just a little longer. I’m here… just lean on me.”

“The heroic act and sacrifice of a father,” said Ahmad Zaidi, accompanying his comment with a clapping emoticon.

Dyg Hanim said this was an example of a father’s sacrifice that should be emulated.

Meanwhile, other users wished the father well, saying his love and sacrifice would be rewarded.