'It is alright, I will pay': Chinese uncle’s act of kindness for Indian neighbour’s child melts hearts online

SHAH ALAM – A quiet act of kindness at a local school is capturing hearts across social media after a local Chinese man stepped in to help his neighbour’s Indian child.

The story gained traction after Threads user @nadeyamiza shared a photo of the man—affectionately referred to as a "Chinese Uncle"—who visited the school specifically to sign a report card on behalf of his neighbour’s son.

The moment has been hailed as a touching reflection of the everyday kindness that exists between Malaysia’s diverse communities.

“This picture is special because this uncle was willing to take the time to go to school and sign the report card for his neighbour’s child.

“I never once thought about the possibility of someone bringing a neighbour’s child to school, let alone a child of a different race,” the user wrote.

The user recalled a moment of slight uneasiness during the session when the teacher brought up the school's association fee.

Before any awkwardness could settle, the uncle calmly responded, “It is alright, I will pay.”

When the teacher reminded him to inform the child’s parents about the payment, the uncle simply assured her it was not a big deal, stating that Malaysians must help one another.

“I was deeply touched. The uncle taught me something today; he has proven that Malaysians are a people who love peace,” @nadeyamiza added.

The post prompted a flurry of comments from other Malaysians sharing similar experiences of cross-cultural warmth.

User @hoyoyi shared how her family was once shown great kindness by an 80-year-old neighbour who was an Ustaz (religious teacher).

She recalled playing with his daughter, Wawa, in Banting, whom her family affectionately called Kak Long.

Through this friendship, her Chinese family was introduced to various Malay dishes, including beef, at a young age.

“At that time, Chinese people rarely ate beef, but we loved it. We were invited to many of their kenduri (feasts), ate with our hands, and truly enjoyed watching them cook in the backyard,” she reminisced.

Another commenter, @andrew.heng.90, shared a lesson from his late grandfather: to help anyone in need, regardless of their background. He noted that the older generation often looked past skin colour entirely.

“Racial issues arise when we become less tolerant and quick to label one another. We should love and respect each other’s cultures. That is the true sentiment of being a Malaysian,” he wrote.

These shared memories paint a tender picture of neighbourly care.

While data such as the National Unity Index (IPNas) 2022 recorded a score of 0.629 (indicating a "moderate" level of unity), grassroots stories like these suggest that simple gestures rooted in empathy continue to define the true spirit of the nation.