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Heartwarming stories that defined 2023

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From religious harmony in a small town to the touching reunion of a plane crash survivor and her rescuer, these stories offer a glimpse of hope and resilience in a challenging year.

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Free Malaysia Today
2023 saw no shortage of heartwarming stories to remind Malaysians of the good in the world.

PETALING JAYA:
While political and economic challenges may have dominated the headlines over the past year, there were also many stories of hope and joy that pointed to the good in the world around us.

As Malaysia welcomes the new year, FMT revisits some of the most heartwarming tales from a hectic 2023.

Sleepy Bukit Rotan shines the light on religious harmony

Located between Ijok and Kuala Selangor, Bukit Rotan stood out as a locality with strong communal bonds where diverse religious communities live side by side in peace.

The small town’s local leaders – a Hindu priest, a mosque administrator and an imam – emphasised mutual respect and shared celebrations while condemning attempts to sow racial or religious discord.

Bukit Rotan’s story of harmony came in April against a backdrop of widespread controversy over the “Jom Ziarah Gereja” programme organised by an NGO under the youth and sports ministry.

Nalvin’s MyKad: a birthday gift like no other

FMT had the opportunity to meet Nalvin Dhillon, who received his MyKad a few days before his birthday, marking the end of an almost year-long wait since the High Court mandated the issuance of his identity card.

Born to a Malaysian father and Filipino mother and raised in Klang, Nalvin finally received his MyKad after spending more than a decade fighting for citizenship.

Nalvin said he could now accomplish all the things he could not previously, such as opening a bank account, furthering his studies and helping other stateless people get their citizenship.

Royal surprise visit for 100-year-old Kamala Das

The King and Queen paid a surprise visit to 100-year-old Kamala Das at her home in Ampang, just two days after her centenary celebration.

Kamala considered the visit the best birthday gift as the royal couple exchanged pleasantries with her family.

Before the surprise, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah sent birthday greetings to Kamala, whose story of love and sacrifice captivated many.

Kamala’s birthday had coincided with the official birthday of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on June 5.

Romance, captivity and Guan Eng’s 300 love letters to Betty

A romantic side of DAP strongman Lim Guan Eng was depicted in his father’s biography “Lim Kit Siang – Malaysian First”, set during the duo’s 18-month detention under the Internal Security Act in 1987.

Despite the challenges, Lim wrote 300 letters to his then-girlfriend, Betty Chew, to maintain their relationship during the trying period.

Chew’s commitment endured, and they eventually married in 1989, going on to have four children.

Plane crash survivor reunites with accidental rescuer after 46 years

Maria Jean Burkhart, the youngest survivor of the 1977 Japan Airlines crash, was reunited with her accidental rescuer, R Nadeswaran, after 46 years.

Plucked to safety by Nadeswaran as a toddler, Maria expressed gratitude for the chance to thank her hero in person.

In the reunion, Nadeswaran, now a columnist, reflected on the dramatic events surrounding the tragedy and how it shaped his life and career as a reporter.

Maria, now a nurse in Portland, also shared her experience growing up without a father.

An Indian woman’s unconditional love for her ‘amma kannu’

A deep maternal bond was forged 34 years ago when M Indirani became the babysitter of Lim Ee Lynn, a month after the latter’s birth.

Lim, affectionately known as “Amma Kannu” (apple of my eye), learned Tamil naturally under Indirani’s care and embraced Indian culture.

Indirani treated Lim as her second daughter, teaching her traditional practices, celebrating cultural events, and remaining a constant source of comfort and care throughout the years.

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