PUTRAJAYA: Prominent lawyer Datuk Ahmad Zaharil Muhaiyar, who won the hearts of social media users 25 years ago for his kind gesture in helping a poor mother charged with shoplifting, is now in hospital.
TikTok user @evarizarina, believed to be the daughter of the lawyer, took to her social media platform yesterday to appeal for prayers for Ahmad Zaharil's recovery.
She said Ahmad Zaharil, also known as the "Pencil Case Lawyer," was rushed to the hospital last Friday due to a fever and is currently under medical care.
"I kindly ask everyone to pray for my father's health and give him the space he needs to fully focus on his treatment," said Eva.
She also requested understanding from her father's clients, assuring them that he would reach out regarding court cases once his condition stabilises.
Ahmad Zaharil won the hearts of social media users after the story of him defending a woman who was arrested and charged in court for stealing a pencil case in 1998 resurfaced on social media in 2023.
The woman, facing financial difficulties, had stolen the RM18 pencil case to give to her child, who had secured first place in school.
Moved by her circumstances, Ahmad Zaharil took on her defense pro bono, securing a reduced sentence to spare her from imprisonment.
In 2017, Ahmad Zaharil was approached by a young lawyer, the son of the woman he had defended in the pencil case theft case years earlier.
In 2023, Ahmad Zaharil was awarded September's National Press Club (NPC)-MACROKIOSK Muhibbah Award for his kind gesture and other contributions towards the community.