A girl’s wish to meet Mahathir Mohamad didn’t come true – but at least she gets a handwritten note from the former Malaysian leader.
The two-time prime minister shared that letter online to Safiya Zahra, 8, who had asked to meet him at the buffalo farm on Langkawi island, a constituency he represents in Parliament. In it, he apologized for not being able to see her due to the COVID-19 lockdown, before telling her to enjoy the meat on his behalf.
He even signed off today’s letter as: “Your great granddad.”
Touched by Mahathir’s gesture, the girl’s father Mohammad Ahmad wrote back in a tweet thanking Mahathir for taking the time to reply, noting that Safiya was “beyond excited and really happy to have received a letter from you.”
“She is really inspired by your dedication and hard work and wants to be like you,” he added.
Waalaikumussalam Safiya Zahra.
Dear Safiya. I am sorry. I cannot meet you at the buffalo farm. This is because of lockdown. Please enjoy visiting the buffalo farm and enjoy the meat.
Wisihing you all the very best.
Stay healthy.
Sincerely,
Your great grandad ☺️ https://t.co/nxy8eNQ0eh pic.twitter.com/ze4guHMMcp— Dr Mahathir Mohamad (@chedetofficial) June 24, 2021
Safiya wrote her wishes to meet the leader yesterday, that said: “I have gone to the buffalo farm the buffalo milk is very tasty I would like to go there again. I ask to your [owner] if I could meet you at your buffalo farm if you are free and I thank you for the [beauty that] is Langkawi.”
Mahathir’s response to Safiya’s letter garnered over 800 likes in two hours, with one netizen saying: “This is heart-warming Tun and I love you for that. Stay healthy. I get to shake your hands twice while you were in Labuan during the lecture series and also in Malaysia House London in 2019, just before you went to Cambridge Union for your speech. Sending you lots of love.”
Another said: “So proud of you [Mahathir] and the girl, there’s a lot more out there who still love and applaud for [you]”
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