KUALA LUMPUR: The COVID-19 crisis has demonstrated that the worst situations tend to bring out the best in people and the organisations to which they belong.

The pandemic, which is now in its third year, has highlighted the good in Malaysians regardless of their diverse backgrounds.

In the middle of last year, Malaysians banded together to help those in need as reflected in the white flag or 'Bendera Putih' campaign, which underscores how Malaysians will go the extra mile to help each other.

Malaysia went into a nationwide lockdown for all social and economic sectors from June 1 to June 14, 2021 to rein in a surge of COVID-19 infections.

Last year's December floods also drew a swift outpouring of support from various parties such as non-governmental organisations, corporations and individuals to unite in the spirit of "Keluarga Malaysia" (Malaysian Family) in reaching out to ease the burden of the victims.

In Islam, helping each other is a fundamental aspect of the faith as the noble act itself, is stated in the holy Quran, said Director of the Malaysian Islamic Dakwah Foundation (YADIM), Penang, Mohd Afifi Ruslan.

He said the word 'Ta'awun' in the Arabic language means helping one another. In the Quran, Allah (swt) says: "Help one another in acts of piety and righteousness."

According to Mohd Afifi, when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) migrated to Madinah with his closest companion and adviser Saidina Abu Bakar As-Siddiq, he showed compassion and kindness to the needy.

"The prophet did not ask his followers to carry out their missionary work upon arrival in Madinah, but instead instructed them to 'spread the salam' to the people and give them food. While in Madinah, the prophet made it his practice to help the poor from the Ansar and Muhajirin people," he told Bernama recently.

Mohd Afifi said helping others is a fundamental aspect of Islam, since the teaching itself promotes peace.

"Helping buoys the helper, not just the recipient. Just experience the simple gratification of contributing to the life of another human being," he added.

"It would be difficult for a nation to achieve stability if the people do not show empathy during trying times. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob has often stressed on the importance of living in harmony...for long-term stability, the people should stay united regardless of their backgrounds," said Mohd Afifi.



VOLUNTEERING MODULE

One of the side effects of staying indoors due to the COVID-19 pandemic and enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) since March last year has been the surge in the use of gadgets and screen time among youths.

As a result, not many youths have been involved in physical activities such as volunteer work. To this, Mohd Afifi said today's younger generation should be given direct exposure to volunteering or charitable work.

"Programmes such as Rakan Muda, Rakan Masjid and the National Service Training Programme (PLKN) should be revived as their benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.

"Similarly, NGOs should also rope in the young into their programmes and allow them to be involved in social work," he said, noting that youth participation in social activities is rather lacklustre.

Should the PLKN be revived, he said, the government can draw up a Keluarga Malaysia volunteerism module to inculcate youth interest towards charitable activities.

Launched in 2004, PLKN was a three-month programme meant to train 17-year-olds and above drafted from around the country to foster patriotism and unity in a multiracial environment.

It was halted for a year in 2015 due to budget cuts in the government and reintroduced in 2016 as PLKN 2.0 with only about 20,000 trainees a year before being abolished in August 2018.

This programme aims to enhance the spirit of patriotism and love the nation among the younger generation, foster national unity and national integration, develop positive character through application of good values, promote the spirit of volunteerism among the youth, and produce a young generation with strong physical and mental as well as high self-esteem.

The programme required participants to spend three months in remote purpose-built camps.Rakan Muda, which was launched in 1994, aims to motivate youths aged between 15 to 25 to build up positive attitudes in an attempt to encourage them to pursue their dreams by providing them with new skills and knowledge.



TRANSCENDS RACIAL BOUNDARIES

Meanwhile, in a true Keluarga Malaysia spirit, a "mysterious" motorcyclist saved the day for Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) graduate R.Kevin, 28, by giving the latter a ride to his convocation ceremony.

Kevin, who was stuck in a congestion on the Penang Bridge on May 24 resorted to hitching a ride from the motorcyclist to take him to the university for his graduation.

The congestion on the bridge was the result of a fatal accident.

"I was excited and grateful that there were many people out there who were willing to come to my aid and take me to USM to celebrate my success of graduating with a Master of Business Administration with my friends," he said.

Kevin in relating the incident to Bernama recently, said he left home in Seberang Jaya with his parents at 6.30am but did not expect such a severe congestion due to a fatal accident that occurred on the bridge.

Kevin, who made it in time for the ceremony, later said that both his parents who continued driving in the jam, also managed to arrive at the university in time to see him receive his scroll.

Earlier in the morning, a photo of Kevin, smartly-dressed in a suit and clutching his graduation robe while sticking out his thumb to hitch a ride, went viral on social media.

While Kevin did not know the motorcylist, he was grateful that a good Samaritan was willing to help him.

"As soon as I arrived in USM, I thanked the Malay man for willing to help me.

"Without his help, I may not have been able to get on stage today (May 24).

"The man's act of selflessness will always remain etched in my memory," noted Kevin.

"Indeed, Keluarga Malaysia transcends religious and racial boundaries. The good values and the acts of helping others should be practised by all levels of society regardless of religion," he said.

According to social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, Malaysia is not short of unsung heroes, many of whom willingly and selflessly step forward to help the needy and less fortunate without expecting anything in return.

Meanwhile, the spirit of Keluarga Malaysia will be promoted among participants of the Jelajah Aspirasi Keluarga Malaysia (AKM) programme to be held at the Terengganu Sports Complex in in Kuala Nerus starting today till June 4.

-- BERNAMA