MALAYSIANS are known for having good hearts and are always willing to lend a helping hand to bystanders who truly need it. But how does one judge if a person really deserves help or is merely taking advantage of people’s kind nature?
This was the case highlighted on two netizens on Facebook who took to social media to show a blind man standing in the middle of the road. Once he gains the attention of passers-by, he will ask them to pay for his Grab ride and demand that they buy the coffee products he is peddling.
A brief video that went viral on social media saw a kind man who obliged. He was also seen handing the blind man a RM100 angpow.
Seeing as this was possibly the blind man’s modus operandi, the original poster went on to question if other netizens would lend a helping hand or just ignore him.
This loaded question certainly got netizens’ chins wagging as many recognised the blind man in the video, with many of them saying that the man can be quite brusque and demanding.
More than one netizen shared that they were on the receiving end of a tongue-lashing from this blind man.
One netizen said that Malaysians should just help without thinking about motives. Let the Almighty be the judge if there was any scam going on, to which the poster whole-heartedly agreed.
Meanwhile, another also said as long a good deed was done, that was all that mattered.
However, an e-hailing driver begged to disagree. Speaking from experience, he claimed this blind man was being overly picky and even threw away food proffered by kind people.
Another netizen claimed that her sister was verbally abused when she could not call him a cab or offer money.
Another netizen highlighted that simply giving alms or proffering help without judgement was helping syndicates thrive.
Though one commenter pointed out that judging from what was said on the video, it would appear this blind man was “working for a boss” and hence, he, too, is being taken advantage of.
A syndicate is perhaps using his disability to solicit monies, either through donations or by purchasing over-priced goods, the commenter added.
This is indeed a tricky question. If one helps unquestioningly, it may be encouraging syndicates or conmen to further fuel this industry.
At the same time, it would be heartless to ignore people in need of help. It is very much a quandary that is perhaps best left to individuals to decide for themselves. – Feb 7, 2025
