A story for the high and mighty

Many people read with incredulity the news headlines, such as 'Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor has once again come under widespread criticism for asking soup kitchens providing food for the homeless to move out from a 2km radius of the city centre by Monday' in Malaysiakini.

Here we have a FT Minister trying to 'clean up' the image of KL by banning the poor and homeless lining up for free food provided by some good Samaritans. Beggars and givers will be fined too.

I was amazed by the timing: in the holy month of Ramadan, and just when the key person in Kechara had just been voted one of the most prominent philanthropists. I wonder too, why Lot 10 was mentioned in a report, as it reflects badly on Tan Sri Francis Yeoh, giving the impression he might be the one complaining about the unsightliness in the shopping district for the rich and famous.

I cannot help but get the impression that our minister is more interested in impressing tourists, especially foreigners, on how well our country has developed in terms of Petronas Twin Towers and the high-end developments taking place in its vicinity. Form over substance?

How we wish we are as rich as United Arab Emirates, where free foods are provided neatly and conveniently like this...

But, I am sure most people would agree, what is practical in Dubai, will not be so in Malaysia.

I just came across a story which I would like to share with those who think they are rich and famous or high and mighty, with the moral 'Someone seemingly insignificant and irrelevant today could be the very person that will  help you in your need tomorrow'.

Man Locked In Cold Room

Juan worked at a meat distribution factory. One day, when he finished with his work schedule, he went into the meat cold  room to check on something, but in a moment of bad luck, the door swung and closed on him and he was locked inside with no help in sight.

Although he screamed and knocked  with all his might, his cries went unheard as no one could hear him. Most of the workers had already gone, and from outside the cold room it's impossible to hear what was going on inside.

Five hours later, with Juan close on the verge of death, the cold room  door was opened by the security guard of the factory and this saved Juan's life.

Juan on recovering asked the security guard what made him open the cold room door, as it wasn't part of his duty or work routine, and he explained thus:      

"I've been working in this factory for 35 years and hundreds of workers come in and go out every day, but you're one of the few who always greet me in the morning and says goodbye to me every night when leaving after working hours.

Many treat me as if I am invisible.

Today,  like every other day, you greeted me in your simple manner .... ' Hello ' at the entrance when reporting for work. But curiously,  after working hours today, I realised that I did not hear your usual ' bye! see you tomorrow '. Hence I decided to check around the factory and for good measure checked the cold room..   

I always looked  forward to your ' Hi ' and ' bye ' every day. To you, I am someone.

When I did  not hear your farewell this evening, I knew something had happened.

Then I thoroughly checked the whole factory and I am so glad that I found you."

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