21/04/2026

TUESDAY | APR 21, 2026

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One kind act, one powerful reminder O KAY, sit down, Makcik needs to talk. Because in a world where people fight over parking lots, scream at cashiers fair and honest price – RM25 for the front sprocket, RM80 for the chain, RM40 labour. A man doing his job, nothing extraordinary yet. And yes, the fact that we were shocked – that basic human decency trended nationally – should make all of us sit with our teh tarik and reflect. Slowly – no rushing. A R I N A T E D M A K C I

Most of us would have rejected the call and texted “Tomorrow can?” Some would have gone, charged the after hours premium and complained about it in the family WhatsApp group. And we would not have been entirely wrong – it’s midnight- lah ! You also need to sleep! But this man, rode out into the dark for a stranger and then refused to take his money. Lempang sikit diri sendiri , please. All of us – just a light one – for not being more like him. And the story gets better because Dicky Yau – this quiet, proud single father – went viral for a second reason. When thousands of Malaysians flooded his inbox wanting to donate money to him, he refused every single one. Instead Dicky said: “To those who have given me gifts on TikTok LIVE, I will pass the money to him so he can help others.” Two men. Zero ego between them. One refusing to accept payment, the other refusing to accept charity – both insisting the other deserves more. Makcik is done. Someone call the ambulance because Makcik ’s heart is bursting with happiness. The video collected close to 500,000 likes and over 15,000 comments. Ministers shared it. The whole nation collectively pressed their chests and went “ Haih …” in that very specific Malaysian way that means I feel this in my soul.

MALAYSIA is currently experiencing temperatures between 35°C and 40°C in several regions, with some areas approaching official heatwave thresholds. In poorly ventilated classrooms, the heat can feel even more intense. According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, recent years have shown a clear rise in average daily temperatures, along with more frequent extreme heat events. Children are among the most vulnerable to climate-related health risks, particularly heat exposure. Classroom crisis In Malaysia, reported cases of heat related illness remain relatively low but they are likely underestimated. Many cases present as mild – fatigue, irritability, reduced appetite and poor concentration – and are often overlooked. The Health Ministry has warned that symptoms of heat exposure include headache, fatigue and reduced concentration, all of which directly affect a child’s ability to learn. These are not merely temporary discomforts; they can impair learning in real time. Recess once meant running outdoors; now, many children remain inside. In many schools, outdoor activities are avoided altogether as the sun is too harsh and the ground too hot. In some parts of Malaysia, schools have even shifted to home-based learning when temperatures remain dangerously high, in line with the Health Ministry and Education Ministry recommendations. When temperatures exceed 37°C for several consecutive days, schools may close over 10 sen short of change and post passive-aggressive notes on neighbours’ doors about recycling bins – God decided to send us one man. One greasy, wrench-holding, motor oil-scented angel riding his bike into the darkness at 12.30 in the morning! Let Makcik recap for those yangbaru bangun tidur . It is half past midnight. Normal people are sleeping, cats are sleeping, even the mosquitoes have clocked out. But somewhere on a dark Malaysian roadside, a Chinese man named Dicky Yau – single father, all the way from Tawau, Sabah – is standing next to his motorbike with a snapped chain and a missing front sprocket, wondering what on earth his life has become. And then, a Malay mechanic with the TikTok handle @minyakhitamjalanan – which Makcik needs a full minute to appreciate because it translates to “black oil on the road” and that is branding, people – gets the call. Does he say “ Alamak , so late already”? Does he roll over and pretend he didn’t hear the phone? Does he reply “Can tomorrow or not?” No! He gets on his bike and rides out into the night, like a greasy Malaysian Batman. He fixes the bike, quotes RM145 – a

But then he checks the Touch ‘n Go e-wallet for payment – RM176. That was Dicky’s total remaining balance. The mechanic does the maths. We all do the maths – RM176 minus RM145 equals RM31. Thirty-one ringgit in your pocket – in this economy, as a single father and far from home. He asked Dicky – repeatedly – if he would still have enough money to eat after paying. And Dicky, bless his stubborn, proud heart, insisted on paying the full charges. But our midnight hero wasn’t having it. “It’s okay. Today I help you in your time of need and if I need help in the future, others will help me too,” the mechanic told him. The keyboard patriots, the ones who post: “Proud to be Malaysian” every Aug 31 and then honk at an old uncle crossing the road on Sept 1. Who stream every Hari Raya ad on YouTube and rate them by how hard they made us cry, as though that is a personality. Makcik is in this group too, don’t worry. I am not throwing stones from outside the glass house – I LIVE here. How many of us would have picked up that phone at 12.30am? Crickets, sound of ceiling fan and distant bark of a dog.

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Kindness shouldn’t be breaking news. It shouldn’t need 500,000 likes to matter; it should just be... Wednesday, normal and unremarkable. But here we are – and maybe that is okay – maybe God sent one mechanic on a motorbike at midnight to shake Malaysia by the shoulders: eh, wake up. This is still who we are. So Makcik ’s decree, effective immediately: Do one thing this week that nobody films, help someone at an inconvenient hour, be kind when it costs you something real – sleep, money, time, comfort. You don’t have to go viral – you just have to go. The mechanic didn’t ride out at 12.30am for the likes; he rode out because somewhere in the dark, a stranger needed him. That is the whole entire point. Makcik didn’t come here to write a thesis. Makcik came here to remind you that we are still capable of being beautiful to each other. Sudah . Habis . Shoo. Pergi minum air before Makcik pengsan . Azura Abas is the executive editor of theSun. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

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Kindness shouldn’t be breaking news. It shouldn’t need 500,000 likes to matter; it should be... Wednesday, normal and unremarkable.

Protecting children from the heat

COMMENT by Dr Naveen Nair Gangadaran

on safety grounds. This is no longer about convenience; it is about protection. As doctors, we recognise this pattern early. Children are particularly vulnerable because they generate more heat during activity and rely on adults to ensure adequate hydration and protection. Younger children are also less efficient at regulating body temperature. Even mild dehydration can impair cognitive performance, mood and physical endurance. In severe cases, heat exposure can escalate into heat stroke, which can be life-threatening. Children generate more metabolic heat during activity and have a higher body surface area relative to their weight, making them more vulnerable to heat gain. At the same time, their sweating mechanisms are less efficient than those of adults, reducing their ability to cool effectively. Even mild dehydration – just 1–2% of body weight loss – has been shown to impair cognitive function, attention span and memory. In a classroom setting, this translates into reduced academic performance and increased fatigue. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures has also been associated with sleep disruption, reduced physical activity and potential long-term cardiovascular and metabolic risks. What we are witnessing is not just a temporary discomfort but a shift in how children grow, learn and function. This is no longer just about the weather; it is a public health challenge that requires a coordinated action.

Children generate more metabolic heat during activity and have a higher body surface area relative to their weight, making them more vulnerable to heat gain. – SUNPIC

0 At schools: Simple interventions can make a significant difference. Class schedules can be adjusted to minimise outdoor exposure between 11am and 4pm. Shaded areas should be prioritised and access to clean drinking water must be ensured at all times. Ventilation improvements, even low-cost measures such as cross ventilation and reflective roofing, can help reduce indoor heat. 0 For parents: The focus should be on prevention. Children should be encouraged to drink water regularly, even before they feel thirsty. Light, breathable clothing should be

prioritised and outdoor activities should be limited during peak heat hours. Importantly, parents should recognise early warning signs such as lethargy, dizziness, nausea or reduced urine output. 0 At a policy level: Malaysia has already taken important steps, with further opportunity to strengthen structured heat action plans tailored for schools. The Education Ministry has acted promptly in identifying these risks and taken important steps. However, continued investment in climate-resilient school infrastructure will be important moving forward.

Because the reality is this: children should not have to adapt to unsafe environments. It is our responsibility to adapt the environment for them. So, are we doing enough to ensure that they are not just coping but truly safe? Because in a warming world, protecting our children does not begin in hospitals; it begins in classrooms, homes and in the everyday decisions we make. Dr Naveen Nair Gangadaran is a paediatrician in Seremban. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com