A tau fu fah seller known as Sunnycoco has pledged RM10,000 to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, describing the contribution as a way of repaying a debt of gratitude dating back 14 years.
Sunnycoco, whose real name is Seow Chau Pen, said he was detained in Manjung in 2009 before appealing to the Home Ministry in 2012 to end his detention early so he could return home to care for his elderly parents.
He said the appeal was written with the help of a local penghulu while Najib, who was prime minister at the time, was attending an event in Manjung, Perak.
“Not long after that, I received a notification from the Home Ministry that I could end my detention early and return home.
“For others, it may have been just a letter or a small form of assistance, but for me at that time, it was an opportunity to start a new life,” he said in a statement.
After returning home, Sunnycoco began selling tau fu fah and gradually built up his small business.
He said he had never forgotten the assistance he received during one of the most difficult periods of his life and now wanted to repay that kindness after seeing Najib hoping to return home to serve his sentence.
“When I needed help back then, he helped me. Today, within my means, I also want to do something to repay that kindness.
“I have decided to contribute RM10,000. I am not a wealthy person and I do not have much to give,” he said.
Sunnycoco said he earns about RM1 in profit from each bowl of tau fu fah, meaning the RM10,000 contribution represents the profits from selling 10,000 bowls.
“So, I will sell 10,000 bowls. Bowl by bowl, I will sell them and save the money little by little.
“This is not about politics, nor am I encouraging others to do what I am doing. This is simply a debt of gratitude that I want to repay in my own way,” he said.
