Ilham, who is the youngest of four siblings, is happy to help his mother earn a living and has never asked for a single sen in return from the daily takings.
“I don’t have the heart to ask to be paid (for helping her), she’s done all the hard work cooking the food,” he told FMT.
The story of Ilham, who has been helping his mother sell pulut panggang daily at the Setiawangsa LRT station since he was 10, recently went viral and captured the hearts of netizens.
“This is how I feel I can repay my mother for all her sacrifice, especially while she is still around. I won’t be able to do the same when I’m older and she’s no longer around,” he said, when interviewed at his home in Keramat, Kuala Lumpur.
The teenager, who dreams of working with Petronas in the future, said he still finds the time to complete his school work and participate in sports, despite his busy routine in helping his mother every day.
“I need to be smart with time management so that I can keep up with school. My teachers are also aware that I’m helping my mother sell food,” he said.
Ilham’s mother, Rita Amri, said she is grateful for being blessed with her sons, who are caring and often help ease her burden.
“We don’t have much, but I count my blessings. My children, even though all boys, are very obedient and helpful around the house,” said the 42-year-old.
Rita, who has been divorced since 2014, has four sons aged 20, 18, 17 and 16. Three of them are with her, while the other stays with his father.
She only earns about RM70 per day from her small business, which she says is not enough, given the rising cost of living.
However, despite inflation biting into her cost, she has not raised the price of her food.
“I have maintained the price, quantity and quality since I started the business. We can help others by keeping the food still tasty and affordable,” she said.
Besides receiving aid from the Federal Territories Islamic Religious Council (MAIWP), she has also received assistance from her neighbours.
“I’m thankful for having such kind and considerate neighbours. They’ve given us a refrigerator, a fan, and mattresses, among other things,” she said.
Anyone interested in ordering food from Rita can contact her at 014-7094274.