LIKE the drops of water and grains of sand that make the mighty ocean and a pleasant land, a group of residents got together today to do their bit for the country.

Echoing nationwide concern for the country’s debts, Taman Yarl residents in Kuala Lumpur turned their street into a car wash to raise funds for Tabung Harapan.

In the small taman of 80-odd houses, 14 families and their children, ranging from 9 to 15, turned out in full force to raise funds by washing cars for RM10 each. 

While the heavy work of spraying down cars were left to the adults, the children did their bit by soaping the cars and towelling them dry after that.

“It’s a small effort from us to help the country,” said Yugan Pathmanaban, who brought his 9-year-old twin boys.

The 44-year-old lawyer, who is topping up RM6 per car, said the community effort brought back memories of a Malaya when everyone chipped in to help the country.

Organiser Padma Nadarajah, who has lived in Taman Yarl since 1975, was surprised by the enthusiasm shown by residents, who sponsored the detergent and other cleaning utensils.

“We only decided to put this together two nights ago,” said the retired secretary.

“But by 11am, we have completed close to 50 cars and have raised almost RM4,000,” she added after accepting a small donation from a neighbour who was rushing out and did not wash her car.

Initially, Padma was concerned and told her friends not to put the notice on Facebook.

“I wasn’t sure if we could cope. But as soon as it went out on WhatsApp, the message just viralled,” said Padma, before stopping to greet Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

She said washing cars doesn’t seem like a big gesture but it was their way of helping the new Pakatan Harapan government.

Ever since, Pakatan launched the Tabung Harapan fund on Wednesday, donations have been pouring in. At 3pm yesterday, more than RM18 million had been collected. Pakatan launched the tax-exempted donation drive after revealing that the country’s debts had topped RM1 trillion, after taking into account contingent liabilities.

The euphoria over the new Pakatan government continues. – June 2, 2018.