JOHOR BARU: Dr Gary Ko, the perennial festive philanthropy is at it again.
With just nine days to go before the Deepavali, the doctor-turned-fish-wholesaler has donated 6kg of fish to 15 needy families in and around Johor Baru.
He included selar kuning, kembong, bawal, gelama and prawns in the donation to the families.
Dr Ko said he wanted to bring some relief to the families where vegetables, rice and soy sauce made up most of their daily food.
The 49-year-old Johor Baru-born doctor, who has a private practice in Bangkok, was marooned in the state capital since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in February 2020.
Moved by the struggles of the poor during the pandemic lockdowns, Dr Ko has made it a point to donate fish to poor families during festive seasons.
"Fish these days is no longer cheap because of the rainy season, when fishermen don't want to go into deep waters for their catch," he said.
"How can the poor afford fish in this situation?" he asked.
Dr Ko studied medicine at Ramkamhaeng University in Bangkok and set up a private practice in the Thai capital after his internship.
He returns to Johor Baru for the Lunar New Year reunions.
The forced prolonged stay in his hometown prompted Dr Ko's family to suggest that he manage their seafood business.
"Since I am in the fish business, I thought to give the very unfortunate this Deepavali some fish for their table," he said.
"As I am unable to treat patients in my clinic back in Thailand, let me then give the penurious a treat here for this Deepavali," he said.
The families expressed their gratitude to Dr Ko as they collected the fish.
"I'm grateful to Dr Ko for helping us in these hard times," said Maliga Katheren, 62.
Maliga considers fish a luxury.
"I am single mother. I can't afford fish as I am only a janitor at a factory," she said.
Another recipient was Satiawaty Nallasamy, 49, a divorcee who lives in Permas Jaya.
"Prices of fish are soaring. With my meagre salary I am unable to afford fish," said the office cleaner.
