If we hadn’t convinced you that humans were trash in yesterday’s dog abandonment slash dragging via 4 x 4, then save a thought for today’s edition — where a man of means, health and relative wealth takes to social media to chide an old, homeless man begging for food.
Via his TikTok account, a short video clip sharing app, a Malaysian man going by the name of “Teh Tarik,” who goes by Dany Albadillah on Facebook, is seen sitting at an unidentified launderette with a homeless man sitting in the background. He then calls attention to the man, who is elderly, gaunt and hunched over, chastising him.
Implying some kind of trickery, he accuses him of first asking for money, and later asking for food — wondering which it is that the man “really” wants. Smirking to his followers, he then mocks the man for begging, and the elderly gentleman walks away.
After a social media user uploaded the clip to Facebook page of bike tricks and grievances, We Are Malaysians, fellow netizens did not hold back in their anger towards the young man, calling him heartless, asking for karma to deal with him, and wondering why — when asked — he couldn’t spare RM1 for someone who was clearly in need.
Following the uproar, Dany took to his personal Facebook account to post a 17-minute long apology, where he admits that he was wrong, and asks for the old man’s forgiveness.
It’s hard to marry the swift mea culpa turn-around after viral infamy with the previous figure who only a day earlier so openly relished mocking a man in need. Repeatedly he asks for the uncle’s pardon, but it’s obvious that it’s not absolution from the homeless man he is looking for — he seeks redemption from his followers and the public at large.
Want to make a difference, Dany? Go find the man, and help him. It’s that easy. You don’t even need to post about it.
