When I was studying in Shah Alam, there was a night market on each Monday at my hostel area in Section 18. Normally, after finishing our last class at 7, we would go straight to the bus with a hope that the bus could fly so that we can arrive our room immediately. Monday used to be the most tiring day according to my schedule. My class started at 8.30 in the morning and ends at 7.00 in the evening.
The foods sold at the ‘pasar malam’ were variety and we could get all kinds of ‘nasi’ and ‘kuih’ including the traditional ‘kuih’ and modern dishes as well. Sometimes, the foods were too variety and it appeared tough for us to choose.
There was something about the night market that I think (still thinking) really spoil the peacefulness and cheerfulness of the night market itself. It is the beggar (peminta sedekah).’ You will find a beggar (who asking for money of course) at almost every corner of the night market; whether they were disable or a healthy normal person. I really wondered where these people came from. Of course there is a person who was in charge of those beggars. What made me more wonder was, the ‘when’ and ‘how’ did those beggars sent to each location. Surely there’s a syndicate rite?
I believe that the money collected by those beggars will be taken by ‘someone’ behind it. It was really pitiful to see those poor beggars who were disable and some were really old to be taken advantage by irresponsible persons. Sometimes, it was really heartbreaking to see some of the beggars, who were really in a bad condition with no leg (or legs), blinded eyes, armless and so forth. Those beggars were placed on the road without any proper chair to be seated. They only used old newspapers or used plastic bags to sit. To make it worse, they were placed on the wet road (still) WITHOUT any proper seat if it was a rainy day. I really could not bear to see those beggars especially the old handicapped and women with kids to be bare seated on the wet road in the middle of the hectic crowd.
I once went through a handicapped man, sitting on a wheelchair at one corner of the night market. He was (of course a beggar) but the difference was, he was not just sit there and waiting for generous hands to throw some coins. At least, he provided packet tissues on his lap, so that those who donated could take the packet tissues in return. However, what made me looked twice at him was, there was a beautiful lady besides him who was feeding him some ‘nasi tomato’. I was like, ‘hey beautiful lady. Is he your husband? Does he beg to support your family or what? Why don’t you find a nice job and earn a living rather than accompanying him begging?’
Whatever it is, Malaysians are generous…rite? Even though they are annoyed or curious about all those beggars, still they throw some caring coins. Yes, Malaysians are truly generous! Just look at how Malaysians generously donated their belongings to the Tsunami victims in 2005 even though there were some of the belongings were useless such as broken radio or underpants with holes! Well, Malaysians are generous!
