KUALA LUMPUR: An 80-year-old gardener, who plants beautiful flowers along the sidewalks near his home at Petaling Jaya has garnered the praise and attention of netizens.
User @patricklee_msia took to TikTok to share a heartwarming story about one 'Uncle Andrew' who kept himself occupied by picking up gardening as a hobby.
Uncle Andrew's passion for gardening grew so much that he eventually took his work to the sidewalk, as his yard had no more space left for his projects.
In the video, Uncle Andrew said 12 years ago, the pathway was just the same as a regular pathway where there was rubbish everywhere before he turned it into a garden.
"I got rid of the rubbish and I started planting. I do everything by hand whether it is trimming the bushes, weeding the garden or sweeping," he said.
The caption for the video said Uncle Andrew jokes that the pathway has earned the nickname 'Lavandrew Avenue', all thanks to the lavender-coloured flowers he planted.
Uncle Andrew said Malaysians threw rubbish wherever they like but not at places filled with flowers and plants.
He also said nature could calm people down.
"Our cities are focused on tall and big towers. But I believe that people like to be in green spaces.
"It gives me joy when people walk past my garden in the morning," he added.
Uncle Andrew said he was just a normal citizen who wanted to bring green in his neighbourhood and the city.
Netizens flooded the comment section with thanks and warm-wishes to Uncle Andrew.
"That's so kind of him. Thank you for your efforts and kindness," said @kikirahikari21.
"Such a wholesome video. It makes my day!," said @jactsh.
"As someone who likes to take a walk, our current sidewalks are really not conducive but Uncle Andrew's effort has made it pleasant," said @8tfour2.