Part-time parking attendant
From starring in viral video to acting on Suria
It was an MRT ride that thrust Hanafie into the spotlight.
In July, he was on the North-South line, between Toa Payoh and Ang Mo Kio stations, when he saw a middle-aged commuter verbally abusing a teenager whose T-shirt he had taken issue with.
The Caucasian commuter was much bigger than the teen, so Hanafie stepped in to defuse the situation.
The incident was filmed and posted to social media where thousands saw it.
Many praised Hanafie for confronting a bully verbally abusing a teenager on the train.
Originally known to the public as Elfy, he soon gained a different name: Abang (Malay for brother) MRT.
One comment described him as “Singapore’s superhero”.
Even Law Minister K. Shanmugam said the young man’s actions swelled him with pride.
He said of the video: “I have always believed that we should stand up for people who are being bullied or mistreated because otherwise, a lot of people will get away with misconduct and they will think it is okay to misbehave.”
Despite his noble actions, life threw some bumps for Hanafie to overcome.
He told The New Paper: “Shortly after the video went viral and people started calling me a hero, it made me feel good.
“But something bad also happened. I lost my job.”
Hanafie was working as a bellboy at a hotel.
“That was very difficult for me because I was supporting my entire family,” he added.
Hanafie, who is supporting his father, stepmother and brother, said the loss of income was a blow.
But fate has a way of working out.
The Manhunt organisers had also seen the video.
They felt he had the right looks and attitude for this year’s pageant, so they tracked him down on Facebook to offer him a spot among the 30 hopefuls.
But the true icing on the cake only came this week.
Hanafie’s life-long ambition of becoming an actor became reality when he was cast in an upcoming drama on Suria.
Not much is known about the yet-to-be-named drama – only that it will be broadcast early next year.
This means he can look forward to providing for his family again.
Hanafie said: “I feel like everything happened so fast.
“One moment, I lost my job and the next, I’ve been cast in a drama. It is a dream come true.”As for the incident that made him famous, Hanafie has some unfinished business.
“I thought when the videos of me went viral, the young man whom I stood up for would contact me but he didn’t,” he said.
“My only wish now is to meet him to find out how he is doing.
“I hope I made a positive impact on his life.”
Source: http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg
