The letter writer has fond memories of his time in South Korea. He is pictured in this photo on the extreme right with his late wife Gloria next to him. His friend Lee is in the centre and on Lee’s right are his daughter and son. — Photo provided
Source: The Star
I FEEL compelled to share a wonderful experience in integrity I recently had at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2).
I spent two years (from 2016 to 2017) in South Korea as a senior Malaysian Army officer, attending the National Security Course at the Korean National Defence University (KNDU). My time in Korea was most fruitful and I experienced wonderful Korean hospitality, a highly efficient transport system, and the emphasis on respect for elders that Korean society still maintains. Above all, Koreans pride themselves on being punctual, respecting the environment, and most importantly, on displaying integrity in all aspects of every day life. My experiences with all these remain vivid in my memory, and throughout my stay there I made many good friends.
Recently, one of my classmates and close friends from KNDU, Lee Young Kwan, along with three others and their wives, visited Malaysia for 10 days. Lee used to be in the Korean presidential security detail at the Blue House.
It was these Koreans first ever visit to Malaysia and it was a welcome respite from the currently extreme cold weather in South Korea. I had the privilege to host them, particularly in my hometown Melaka where they spent most of their time. Melaka and Malaysia made a good impression on them, leaving them in awe of the friendliness, multiculturalism and variety of good food available here.
On Dec 27, at 2.40am, Lee and his friends left Malaysia, taking a flight out from KLIA2. Later that same day, I received a call from Lee’s daughter who sounded very crestfallen, saying her father had lost his wallet at the airport. She said that her father could recall going to a duty free shop and a fast food outlet before boarding his flight. Receipts from both the establishments were forwarded to me.
I tried calling the fast food outlet several times but was not successful in getting through, while the duty free shop’s receipt did not have a telephone number.
Out of desperation, I tried my luck at KLIA2’s Lost and Found Department. To my utter delight, a person named Haris Halmi answered my call and, after listening to my description, informed me that the department had Lee’s wallet. In fact, not only did they have the wallet and important documents as well as credit cards but also all the foreign currencies in it in US dollars, Korean won and Malaysian ringgit were intact.
When I relayed the good news to Lee and his daughter, they were ecstatic and beyond belief. They wanted me to convey their deepest gratitude to the staff of the department, the good Samaritan who found the wallet and handed it in, and the security staff member at KLIA2 who brought it to the Lost and Found Department.
Having been with the Malaysian Armed Forces for almost 40 years, I believe there is no greater honour than to serve our beloved country with my fellow countrymen and women. And to know there are citizens like these makes it all worthwhile.
To Haris and one Cik Nadja, also from the Lost and Found Department, the good Samaritan, and security personnel, I salute all of you. Your honesty and good values made a lasting impression on me and my Korean friends, and I believe are a reflection of the good values that we as Malaysians are proud of. I am sure your noble deed will convince many more foreign guests to visit Malaysia.
I send my best wishes and a happy New Year to all Malaysians.
MAJOR GENERAL DATUK JOHNNY LIM ENG SENG
Chief of Staff
Army Field Command West HQ
Kem Perdana Sungai Besi
Kuala Lumpur
