Serving others
Former cop Kuan Chee Heng’s post on Facebook went viral recently. He caught the public’s attention in how he bought three cars for a pittance … only 10 sen each. These used vehicles – two Proton Iswaras and a Toyota Avanza – were offered to him to be used to help the needy.
Recently, he started a 10-sen taxi service and hired a driver to ferry the sick, disabled and, basically, poor folks, to and from hospital.
Eight people near Bukit Jalil and Puchong have registered for this service. Gradually, he hopes to use the other cars for the same purpose.
“Some of these poor people missed their medical appointments due to transportation problems,” said the concerned 53-year-old.
In 2014, he started a 10-sen market to help the urban poor. It provides the opportunity for people to recycle and contribute to charity. Very much like a jumble sale, unwanted items in good condition are sold to the poor at a nominal 10 sen, including television, refrigerator, bed, bicycle, clothes and more.
Kuan, a businessman, is president of the Community Policing Association of Malaysia.
He was a police constable for six years before he quit to be a florist. After 18 years, he ventured into other business interests.
Kuan, who founded the association, says: “It was set up in 2007 to fight crime. We have 130,000 members.”
Community policing, Kuan says, is “to create awareness about crimes, so we can work together with the police”.
Kuan’s foray into the world of social media began in earnest three years ago, and since then, he has successfully used crowdfunding to aid the destitute. He has 5,000 Facebook friends and 176,478 followers.
His Facebook icon is a potato, indicating his preference for “simplicity in life”.
“I like to help people as it makes me happy. On Facebook, I bring a positive approach to life (through sharing stories),” he says.
He reckons that every religion is good and teaches kindness. But for him, a freethinker, he thinks acts of kindness are independent of religious beliefs.
On the table in his office, there is a Guan Yu (the Chinese God of War) statue.
Behind him, there is an enormous replica of the God of War’s brass blade (guan dao), a gift to him for a favour rendered. The deity is the epitome of loyalty and righteousness.
People, he says, should forget the bad. “Remember the good things in life,” he says.
He adds: “I’m happy to live in a peaceful environment where I can make a living without fearing bombs and bullets. I seize every day as an opportunity to serve others.”
The Paper’s People is a weekly column which introduces Malaysia-based everyday folk, doing what they love. If you have any person to recommend, e-mail us at star2@thestar.com.my.
Source : Star2.com
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