Father selling youtiao to support family dies of heart failure


Many Malaysians’s incomes have been affected adversely by the pandemic – including this hardworking father, whose name was Johnny, who went viral for moving all the way from Johor Bahru to Selangor to open a humble food stall in hopes of supporting his 2 daughters. While caring individuals have been coming out to show their support for his stall since then, a report from Sin Chew Daily on 30th March 2021 said that he had passed away from heart failure and is survived by his daughters.


Passed away over 3 weeks ago, on 3rd March


If you have yet to hear about his story, Johnny is the father to 2 daughters, and he had moved across Malaysia to set up a youtiao stall called Good Father You Tiao in Seri Kembangan. He caught the attention of netizens with a sign at his stall that said he was a homeless father hoping to “work hard and do better” while selling youtiao to feed and rent a house for his family.

Father of 2 daughter who sold youtiao to support family dies - stall
Image credit: Lucas Onexox Dealer

However, in a tragic end to his story, Sin Chew Daily reported that Johnny had died from heart failure after rumours of his death started circulating on social media platforms. He had reportedly passed away at Klang General Hospital on 3rd March, over 3 weeks ago.

A reporter from the Chinese news platform has also confirmed with the hospital that his body remains unclaimed at the hospital, while his daughters are said to have been picked up by the Ministry of Welfare.

Father of 2 daughter who sold youtiao to support family dies - family
Image credit: Lucas Onexox Dealer

In the same report by Sin Chew Daily, Johnny was said to have received an outpour of support from individuals who came across his story, with a caring individual even gifting him with a secondhand car so he can easily bring his daughters to school.

However, he faced several health issues. And despite improvements, he succumbed to them on 3rd March.


Father of 2 daughters selling youtiao dies from heart failure


Many have been keeping up with news of this hardworking father who went viral for doing all that he can to support his family – even moving across Malaysia from Johor to Selangor. So we are saddened to hear of his passing, and send our condolences to his family and friends.

Editor’s note: Some netizens have reached out to us to check if there is any way to help the family. At the moment, we have not seen information on any fundraising efforts for the daughters, although the Department of Community Welfare (JKM) Sabak Bernam is reportedly requesting for the public to help find their biological mother. Facebook user Joe Yap, who started a post updating Malaysians about the situation said that someone has managed to locate the mum and that they will be getting in touch with the person for more information.

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Cover image adapted from: Lucas Onexox Dealer

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