COMMENT | Last February, he sat with me under an old tree in Pulau Rubiah, Acheh, and insisted that we do something to help the island folk whom he had rescued after the tsunami back in 2004. He was worried for them, just like he worries about everyone who struggles and are in need of help.

“We must do something, Fa, we must do something,” he said.

That’s so typical of Rishi, always wanting to do something for others. Even when he had too much on his shoulders and nothing much to give, he would always find a way.

Rishi, whose full name is Rishiwant Singh Randhawa, was killed in a motorcycle accident yesterday evening in Punjab, India. He was 43.

He’s fondly known as the ‘Flying Singh’ and was the director of United Sikh Malaysian Humanitarian Aid Organisation. He also founded the Malaysian Foodbank Organisation and the Good Will Walk movement.

In 2016, he was presented with The Star Golden Hearts Awards in recognition of his humanitarian works.

As I mourn the loss of a wonderful friend and a greater human being, I am reminded of our many deep conversations about humanity and the value of our conscience...