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Homeless Dad Who Sold Yau Char Kwai To Support His 2 Daughters Has Passed Away

He passed away due to heart failure on 3 March.

Cover image via 大马新闻台 (Facebook) & Joe Yap (Facebook)

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In October last year, a homeless father went viral after Malaysians learned that he moved from Johor to Selangor to sell yau char kwai to make ends meet

Unfortunately, according to Sin Chew Daily, the father, Joni Saragih, has since passed away due to heart failure at Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Klang Hospital (HTAR) on 3 March.

Joni's story went viral as netizens expressed sympathy for the family and admired the father's hardworking spirit

The man, who claimed to be from Thailand, had simply asked the public to help support his yau char kwai business at Restoran Peng Chu in Seri Kembangan.

A note at his stall read, "I just came from Johor Bahru and I don't have a house to live in. I need to rent a house. Can you help me?"

The single father was the sole caretaker of his two daughters. However, since his passing, they have since been taken in by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) in Sabak Bernam.

Meanwhile, the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and individuals who provided aid to Joni want to remind the public that they are currently not seeking donations for his daughters

With many Malaysians eager to lend a helping hand, Facebook user Joe Yap in the Caremongering Malaysia Facebook group warned of fake fundraisers.

"Please do not make contributions to anyone on Joni’s behalf. We are not collecting any funds for him. All are taken care of, as of now."

The Good Samaritan told SAYS that they are in the process of getting approval from an embassy to retrieve Joni's body and funeral arrangements have already been made.

Meanwhile, Yap wrote that the founder of KK Super Mart, Datuk Seri Dr Chai Kee Kan, has expressed interest to provide support and education to Joni's children and are currently seeking cooperation with JKM.

Joni had already experienced breathing difficulties and was admitted to an emergency department in December last year:

Joni sold yau char kwai, five-spice doughnuts, and red bean paste doughnuts for RM1 each. Read about his journey here:

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