YOURSAY | The transformation of Uncle Kanda

YOURSAY | ‘We need leaders like Sim, not those who rumble like thunder but produce no rain.’

'I promise that I will not let uncle sleep on the street again' - Steven Sim

Dr Raman Letchumanan: Wow, just look at the transformation of Uncle Kanda - from a street dweller, hungry, unkempt, despised, shooed away like a dog, to a fine gentleman, an appearance that would envy many of us.

Compare this with that man representing our country and bringing embarrassment to the world meeting with killers of their own citizens. Uncle Kanda would make a better ambassador of our country 100 times over.

And all it takes is one fine gentleman, a bit of his time, and a little money to bring out the best in a neglected fellow human being.

And yet, we have a government claiming to spend RM323 billion of our rakyat's money to supposedly help people like this. And if that is not enough, they created a blank-cheque emergency ordinance to spend our money without check and accountability as they please. For whom and for what?

I suggest well-meaning politicians or parties make this into a national movement with like-minded individuals and NGOs to bring all such people from the streets to a dignified living.

Let the destitute know who they can contact and reach out to. Not the Welfare Department - for every ringgit, they would waste RM10. Money is no object, everyone would be willing to contribute.

For every tax ringgit forced out of us, which we know will be squandered and looted, this is something even a few ringgit will bring peace and dignity within ourselves. We will all be true Malaysians irrespective of race, religion and creed.

I would certainly vote for people like this, and I am sure every right-thinking Malaysian would do likewise, no matter which party they are from. We need to have a choice, away from the politicians who have divided and brought the country to what it is now.

Muomuo: As a politician, what Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim is doing is certainly commendable and admirable. Can you show me how many politicians are of his calibre?

It certainly is a responsible politician’s duty but he has a heart and the initiative to look for the uncle at 2am. How many will do that?

My tears are a sign of thanks from the bottom of my heart.

The Middle Man: Kudos to Sim. Making a real difference in the lives of ordinary disenfranchised Malaysians is what an honest and sincere politician does. The true character of an individual can be judged by what he or she actually does and not by what he or she says.

We have too many politicians who parrot endless rhetorical speeches which are meaningless, forgettable and useless. It’s time we have more individuals like Sim to make our country a better place for all.

IndigoTrout2522: It is so heartening to read news like this - having an MP helping the needy.

We know many DAP and opposition MPs, state and local leaders doing this routinely. We need more leaders from every party and NGO to be doing this.

If 222 MPs are doing this, 222 people or families will be helped. If this is done four times a year, it would be about 1,000 people being helped.

This is better than playing politics all the time. We need people-caring, compassionate and dedicated leaders.

BlueShark1548: Compassion, kindness and attention have given hope to Uncle Kanda. It has given him dignity and self-respect and now made him a productive man who is able to take care of himself.

Malaysians are a caring society, except the Perikatan Nasional government, and we should all reach out to those in need during the current difficult times, irrespective of race and religion, as government assistance is not reaching all those in need.

Assist people to register for vaccinations as well. Good job, Sim!

IndigoKite6964: Sim is someone who deeply cares for people. Uncle Kanda was in this situation because he lost his job after a motorcycle accident and cannot pay for repairs.

One thing concerns me though, how much money has Sim spent from his own pocket? Is he getting any help with those finances?

He must have spent about RM5,000 on Kanda alone. What about the homeless mother with 10 kids? I hope he is getting help from the town council or some welfare funds and if not so, I am sure many Malaysians will chip in and help too.

Too often politicians have only one thing in their minds and that is how to get re-elected. In fact, that is their preoccupation apart from making as much hay for themselves while their political sun shines. It’s not about the people as much as they claim it is. It is always ultimately about themselves.

Sim has his focus on the people in his constituency and he is a leader and a champion for the people he represents. I am sure his constituents are very proud of him and who can say otherwise about them?

I am sure, if he gave the word, people would rally around him, not just his constituents but Malaysians in general. We need leaders like him, not those who talk with fork tongues, rumble like thunder but produce no rain.

True Fiction: I salute Sim in his private citizen capacity in helping needy people, and I hope he reaches out to coordinate providing such help with the many NGOs and some government departments that do the same.

Don't forget that an MP's key role is to make policy and enact legislation, ensuring both are good, progressive and aligned with the rakyat's aspirations.

If Sim as a wakil rakyat (elected representative) wants to ensure no one ever sleeps rough again, he would be pushing in Parliament as well as in his political circles for better labour policies and a social safety net as well as a more effective public welfare programme.

RedParrot1151: For all you critics of Sim... whether he is doing it for his political interest or not, the end result is the poor man was helped, has a job and a home. Period.

We can never tell a person's inner motive and even the best of man has a selfish nature. But the end result is the poor man was helped. Can't you thank God and Sim for that?

Look at the end result, even the process of Uncle Kanda getting a new haircut, new clothes, his motorcycle repaired, ask yourself... are you willing to do that for the poor guy in your area?

Vijay47: Reading through the comments posted so far, I note that they essentially form two categories.

The substantially larger group expresses praise and admiration for the one-man “he ain’t heavy” effort carried out by Sim, with some also voicing their disappointment with government agencies established to help the underprivileged.

The second group questions Sim’s sincerity, that his real objective being publicity and political advancement. Further, they wonder about the fate of countless others equally in need of aid, those that Sim would obviously be unable to help. DAP is again to be blamed.

I cannot reconcile these two propositions. The reality is that within the means available, good work is nevertheless being done. We should remember Deng Xiaoping’s black and white rat-catching cats.

Does the fact that Sim may earn mileage from his efforts detract from the fact that some persons have benefited from his campaign? I hope none of the naysayers suggests that since he cannot help all, he must help none. And must the Good Samaritan always work in the dead of night?

Perhaps we should ask Uncle Kanda and the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe.

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