The office of deputy national unity minister R Yuneswaran said the title of “Sahabat Perpaduan Madani” (Madani Friends of Unity) was presented to the duo as a tribute to ordinary Malaysians who perform extraordinary acts in service of their communities.

It said Yusof’s act of kindness deeply touched Malaysians after he helped Yau, whose motorcycle had broken down, without expecting anything in return.

“This reflects the value of kindness and demonstrates that true unity is nurtured through small, sincere actions,” Bernama quoted Yuneswaran’s office as saying.

In a TikTok video, Yusof, who uses the handle @minyakhitamjalanan, said he was called at about 12.30am earlier this month to fix a motorcycle after its chain snapped and the front sprocket went missing.

He quoted a total fee of RM145, comprising RM25 for the front sprocket, RM80 for the chain, and RM40 for labour.

After completing the repair, he noticed Yau had RM176 left in his e-wallet and asked if he would still have money for food after paying him.

Yau appeared hesitant and repeatedly insisted on paying the full amount, but the mechanic told him he did not have to pay. Overcome with emotion, Yau embraced him.

Netizens flooded the comments section with praise, hailing the mechanic’s empathy and generosity. The video garnered more than 600,000 likes and more than 18,000 comments.

Yau later attempted to repay Yusof with RM3,000 after receiving over RM5,000 in public donations, but the mechanic declined, saying Yau needed the money to support his school-going son.

Yuneswaran said their story serves as a powerful reminder that unity is not confined to slogans, speeches, or policies, but is best expressed through compassion, mutual assistance, and solidarity across differences in race, religion, background, and social status.

“What Yusof and Dicky have shown is a reflection of the Malaysia we love, a country built on the values of respect, compassion, and togetherness,” he said.