Without the politicians’ divide-and-rule dirty tactic, Malaysia would be an absolutely peaceful country.
Mohd Yusof Mohamed Noor, founder of “Minyak Hitam Jalanan” – loosely meant mobile motorbike mechanic – did not have a fancy workshop or huge capital. Armed with a bike and some basic skills, the young man offers mobile services such as oil lubrication changes around the capital, Kuala Lumpur. The on-the-spot service could be at your office, home or even on the street.
Having been in the business for more than seven years, his Facebook account has skyrocketed to more than 560,000 followers, and it’s not hard to understand his popularity. Last Friday (April 17), a video clip went viral after he shared his experience in assisting a stranded motorcyclist late at night and refusing payment after realising the rider had barely enough for the repair.
The mechanic apparently had closed for business earlier than usual in Taman Kota Damansara due to heavy rain when he received a call at around 12.30 am from a motorcyclist in distress. The rider, Dicky Yau, had obtained his contact details via TikTok after unsuccessfully reaching out to other mechanics. Dicky told Yusof how he had contacted several mechanics, but was turned away, with one even blocking his number.
Pleading for help, Yau explained that his motorcycle chain had snapped and the front sprocket was missing, leaving him stranded without assistance. While Yusof had already gone home, he nevertheless asked for photos and the location in case he could help. Since it was late at night, the mechanic quoted RM145 (approximately US$36.67) for the repair, covering parts (RM105) and labour (RM40).
The rider tried to negotiate as he could only afford RM80 (US$20.23), to which the mechanic politely said the suggested price was too low due to the late hour. With no other choice, Dicky Yau agreed with the quoted price and waited for Mohd Yusof to fix his motorcycle. Upon arrival and after some casual chatting, the mechanic learned that the rider had actually borrowed money from a friend to pay for the repair.
After completing the work, the rider attempted to make a payment. However, the mechanic noticed that the amount displayed on the rider’s cellphone represented his remaining funds. Instead of offering discounts, Yusof refused payment entirely and covered the cost himself, treating it as an act of charity. In the video, the rider is seen repeatedly insisting on paying, but his offers were declined, leaving him visibly emotional.
“He kept insisting that I take the money for my work. But seeing his situation, I just could not do it,” – the kind-hearted mechanic, known as “Abang Minyak Hitam Jalanan”, said. The encounter ended in an emotional exchange, with the mechanic saying he was moved to tears when the rider embraced him. “When he hugged me, I could not hold back my tears. Every person has their own struggles,” he said.
After the video went viral, the rider, identified as Dicky, later commented online to express gratitude and confirm that his motorcycle had been repaired safely. He also expressed deep appreciation for Yusof’s assistance, and said the mechanic arrived in about 20 minutes despite it being past midnight. Of course, thousands of social media users have praised the mechanic’s empathy and willingness to help a stranger in need.
It was learnt later that Dicky Yau is a single father from Sabah who had travelled to Kuala Lumpur for work and was facing financial hardship while supporting his family. But the story of the two strangers did not end there. The viral video triggered waves of donations from the public. Touched by the concern shown by social media users who had offered to extend financial help, the single father has since refused to accept any more donations.
“I would like to thank everyone who sent private messages to offer help. However, I cannot accept any donations from anyone. If there is any account asking for donations using my name, it is fake. Thanks everyone for your concern,” Yau said in a TikTok post on Saturday (April 18). He said any donations received would be given to the mechanics featured in the TikTok account @minyakhitamjalanan
“Next week, I will look for that brother (mechanic). I will give these TikTok live gifts to that brother so he can help others,” said Yau. In the latest clip on Wednesday (April 22), the two men met again after the simple act of kindness attracted donations to the tune of about RM6,000. Dicky had earlier suggested that half of the money be given to the mechanic to continue helping others in need as “infak” (charity).
However, in the latest video, the mechanic attempts to hand the money back to Dicky. The moment turns emotional once again when the mechanic tries to pass him the cash but Dicky quickly declines, saying – “Bang, jangan bang.” The mechanic, whom Dicky called “Abang Usop”, however, gently insists, urging Dicky to keep it, saying, “You have a child,” as the emotional Dicky breaks down and wipes away his tears.
While the episodes strongly demonstrate a rare display of sincerity, humility and mutual care, with many social media users praising both men for putting others before themselves, even in difficult circumstances, it also provides many lessons which politicians could and should learn from two ordinary folks – a Malay mechanic and a Chinese motorcyclist trying to make ends meet.
Unlike Anwar Ibrahim’s slogan during election time – “Anak Melayu, Anak India, Anak Cina, Anak Kadazan, Anak Iban, semua anak saya” – to hoodwink voters, only to show his true colour by repeatedly discriminating, mocking and even insulting the non-Malays after becoming the 10th Prime Minister, the mechanic ignored skin colour when he decided to absorb the total cost of repairs for the struggling single father.
It also shows that, unlike the narcissistic Premier, who would always demand credit and praise for the slightest achievement, the mechanic is genuinely sincere in earning a living and humble in helping others without blowing his own trumpet. PM Anwar strongly believes he deserves respect due to his position despite spending taxpayers’ money to do his job, whilst Abang Usop believes in using his own “infak” money for charity and received praises organically.
Heck, Anwar should be ashamed of himself for gifting former Prime Minister Najib Razak with 50% discount on the crook’s original 12-year jail term and 75% discount on the RM210 million fine after stealing billions in the 1MDB scandal. The Prime Minister should learn from the Malay mechanic and the Chinese single father, who both profusely pushed the RM6,000 donation gifts to each other – they aren’t greedy. Anwar helped a wealthy crook, while the mechanic helped a poor man.
In the same breath, unlike former Prime Minister Muhyiddin’s “Malay First” and PAS Islamist party president Hadi Awang’s “Muslim First” mantra, the Malay-Muslim mechanic does not adopt the same racist bigotry and religious extremism when he decided to help a Chinese motorcyclist in trouble, whom many other mechanics had refused to entertain.
Crucially, the event proves that contrary to decades of political false rhetoric, deceptive tactics and misinformation to manipulate ethnic Malay’s opinion that the ethnic Chinese are all super rich and wealthy, the truth is there are tons of Malaysian Chinese who are still struggling to put food on the table. Poverty does not discriminate against race, religion, culture, gender or background.
For over 60 years, racist politicians have been stirring up racial and religious sentiments among the Malays that the Muslims and Malay rulers have lost power so that they can continue to justify their existence just to steal and plunder the national coffers. The gap between the super-rich and poor people like Dicky Yau clearly shows PM Anwar’s declaration that hardcore poverty has been eliminated in Kuala Lumpur back in February 2024 is laughable.
From the Muhyiddin’s backdoor regime mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic to the current Anwar’s arrogant Madani administration, the “Kita Jaga Kita” slogan that directly translates to “we take care of ourselves” or “we look out for each other” is still valid because all selfish and hypocrite politicians – regardless of parties – are too busy enriching themselves than to take care of the ordinary people’s welfare.
To Dicky Yau, his saviour that night was a stranger of a different skin colour, race and religion called Abang Usop, not Premier Anwar Ibrahim, Opposition Leader Hamzah Zainudin, DAP Anthony Loke or former prime ministers like Mahathir Mohamad, Muhyiddin Yassin or “turtle-egg” man Ismail Sabri. And among all the mechanics he had asked for help, only Mohd Yusof responded selflessly.
Yes, like it or not, Malays often go out of their way to stop and assist those with broken-down vehicles, flat tyres, or empty fuel tanks. The community’s willingness to help stranded motorists is largely due to their sense of “kampung (village)” spirit and community solidarity. Unfortunately, this kindness and soft spots are being milked and exploited at the same time by despicable politicians weaponising race and religion.
Without the politicians’ divide-and-rule dirty tactic, Malaysia would be an absolutely peaceful country. Even Anwar, despite having been left in the political wilderness as opposition for 24 years, did not learn his lesson after he got power – protecting corrupt leaders of all sizes, allowing racists like Akmal Saleh to terrorise the Chinese community, defending corporate mafia, marginalising minorities’ interests, and whatnot.
And unlike the mechanic, who admitted during an interview last year that he received with an open heart both praise and criticisms over his services, Ayatollah Anwar – unable to accept critical criticisms – has been abusing government resources to block or blacklist websites, portals or social media accounts which do not sing songs of praise to him.
The emotional exchange between the mechanic and the stranded motorcyclist was not fake like those played out by drama queen prime ministers and politicians. Forked-tongue leaders or politicians should learn from the episode not to double-speak or practice double standards in order to earn people’s respect. That mechanic is not only a better Muslim, but also has more dignity and deserves more respect than all politicians and prime ministers combined. – Finance Twitter