BALIK PULAU: A polytechnic lecturer who stepped in to help an 18-year-old boy who travelled alone from Johor to Penang to pursue his studies has caught the public's attention.
In a Facebook post, the lecturer, Mohd Zaidil Adha Mat Hussein, 46, shared his experience of assisting the student, Lim Zi Yang, who arrived for registration at the Balik Pulau Polytechnic without his parents.
Zaidil, who is a lecturer at the polytechnic's communications and information technology faculty, said he assisted Lim after being contacted by the latter's father on Friday.
He said Lim's father had also requested early admission to the hostel as his son had to leave early from Batu Pahat to Penang due to sold-out bus tickets on Saturday.
When contacted by Harian Metro, Zaidil said he felt the need to assist Lim as his father informed him that he was not able to accompany his son due to insufficient funds.
"When I heard that, I felt sorry and I requested the management (of the polytechnic) for early admission to the hostel.
"I was also ready to pick Lim up at the Balik Pulau bus stop on Saturday, but he had already arrived in front of the library before I could pick him up.
"However, his bag which contained his clothes and important documents, got switched with someone else's and we had to go back to Sungai Nibong bus terminal, before going to the Penang Sentral terminal to claim the bag," he said.
Zaidil said he could also see Lim's obedience to his father during the journey, adding that he noticed Lim's bravery as he travelled solo by bus despite never having set foot in Penang before.
"While in the car, I saw Lim take a picture of the Penang bridge and send it to his father.
"Before heading back, after I took him shopping for necessities at a supermarket, he also asked me to stop by a Chinese medicine shop to buy drinks and medicine as requested by his father.
"Hence, I see him as an obedient child with determination as he told me he does not want to stop his studies as he is the only child and the hope of the family."
On Facebook, Zaidil said he did not expect the post to go viral as his intention was only to share his experience.
"Alhamdulillah, there are many positive comments and many congratulated Lim, while wishing him success in the future.
"There are also comments mentioning what I did is what Malaysia needs as it shows the spirit of unity.
"However, in reality, I help without looking at differences in race or religion as I will help any student in need and often listen to the concerns of parents over their children's problems.
"It was a coincidence that Lim's story received the attention as we (Lim and I) are of different races.
"What's more interesting was that the director-general of the Polytechnic Education and Community Colleges Department Datuk Dr Mohd Zahari Ismail also came to meet Lim during the registration day yesterday," he said.