[VIDEO] Son's Desperate Plea On TikTok To Support Mum's Small Business Goes Viral
They are struggling to pay for three months' worth of overdue rent, which they owe since the first Movement Control Order (MCO).
By Daranee Balachandar — 07 Apr 2021, 06:37 PM — Updated over 3 years ago
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Editor's Note: The story has been updated to correct an error in reporting.
A TikTok by a son asking members of the public to support his mother's restaurant in Johor went viral on Facebook over the weekend
In the one-minute-and-42-second-long video, it is learnt that Muhammad Farid Abdul Rahman's mother has been struggling to pay three months' worth of rent for the shop, which was overdue since the first Movement Control Order (MCO).
A month's worth of rent costs RM3,500. So in total, they need to pay RM10,500.
Muhammad Farid said his mother Normalah Daud's business has experienced a 70% drop in revenue due to the work from home (WFH) policy implemented by the government, which has now been abolished.
Her restaurant — Tok Ayah Bistro — is located in Danga Bay, Johor.
Normalah Daud at Restoran Tok Ayah Bistro in Danga Bay, Johor.
Image via Restoran Tok Ayah Bistro Danga Bay Johor (Facebook)"There was no discount given on the rent even when we told the landlord that mother has been struggling with keeping herself afloat," Muhammad Farid told Malay Mail.
"The WFH policy has also made it harder for my mother as many are not going out to eat at stalls or restaurants."
Speaking to the news portal, the son said his mother previously had two Indonesian helpers in the shop with her, assisting her with the cooking and preparation of dishes.
However, both of them had to return to their country when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Since then, Normalah has been waking up early in the morning to prepare dishes, such as nasi lemak and bihun.
The early hours and extra work have taken a toll on her and she sometimes falls asleep at the shop during the day.
Currently, Muhammad Farid's two elder brothers have been giving their mother a helping hand at the restaurant.
Normalah Daud at Restoran Tok Ayah Bistro in Danga Bay, Johor.
Image via Restoran Tok Ayah Bistro Danga Bay Johor (Facebook)Muhammad Farid posted the TikTok in the hopes of bringing more customers to his mother's restaurant
Commenting on paying the overdue rent, he lamented that, "That's a really huge figure and with business being slow for her, my family and I were wondering how to pay that amount."
Fortunately, his TikTok has garnered lots of attention and support from netizens. It even caught the attention of TV3 host and personality Fedtri Yahya, who re-uploaded the TikTok on his Facebook profile and later went viral with over 13,000 shares.
At Tok Ayah Bistro, you can find Malaysian breakfast staples such as nasi lemak, bihun goreng, and mee goreng, among others
During lunch time, they serve nasi campur. Take a look at the mouth-watering food!
The restaurant is open every day from 7am to 3pm.
Catering orders can also be made via their Facebook page on Fridays and Saturdays too.
Address:
G-26, Jalan Bertingkat Skudai,
Danga Bay,
80200 Johor Bahru, Johor.
