Children’s simple gesture in Terengganu turns into a heartwarming exchange with the prime minister

A spontaneous Hari Raya gesture by two young siblings in Terengganu has captured attention in Malaysia after Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim responded with gifts of his own, turning a brief airport encounter into a memorable family moment.

Two Siblings Gave The Prime Minister Their Own Duit Raya
The story began on April 13 when siblings Aesha Khadeeja, 10, and Uwais Al Qorni, eight, met Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at Sultan Mahmud Airport in Terengganu and handed him RM7 in duit raya from their own pocket money. The children had gone to the airport with their mother after learning that Anwar was there during a one-day working visit.

Anwar Said The Gesture Touched Him Deeply
In a Facebook post on April 14, Anwar said the siblings’ sincerity had deeply moved him. He described the gifts he later sent as a token of appreciation for their “priceless sincerity” and said he hoped they would be encouraged to pursue knowledge and build a better future.

The Children Received More Than They Expected
The next day, gifts were delivered to the family’s home in Terengganu, including duit raya packets, iPads, school supplies, and a Quran. Photos shared publicly showed the two children posing with the gifts, while the duit raya packets featured Anwar and his wife, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.

A Chance Meeting Turned Into A National Talking Point
Local reporting said the siblings and their mother had waited nearly an hour at the airport and did not expect any direct interaction with the prime minister. In a video later shared online, the children were seen passing the duit raya packets through a gate to Anwar, who later opened them on the plane and smiled as he said it had been years since he last received duit raya.

Why The Moment Resonated So Widely
The story gained traction because it reflected a simple act of generosity during Syawal, the Islamic month in which Hari Raya Aidilfitri is celebrated. In a period often associated with giving and family ties, the children’s small but heartfelt gesture and Anwar’s warm response turned the exchange into a widely shared example of kindness and reciprocity.

What made this moment stand out was not the value of the money, but the sincerity behind it. For Malaysians, the exchange between Anwar and the two siblings offered a feel-good reminder of the spirit of Hari Raya. For Indonesians and Singaporeans as well, it shows how small gestures of kindness can still resonate widely in a region where festive traditions remain deeply personal and meaningful.

Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Bernama (2026)

Keywords: Anwar Ibrahim Duit Raya, Malaysia Hari Raya Story, Terengganu Siblings, Anwar Children Gift, Hari Raya Malaysia, Human Interest Malaysia