KUALA LUMPUR: A heartfelt moment between a soldier and her father has gone viral on social media, touching the hearts of over 1.4 million TikTok viewers.
The 42-second clip, shared by user @cik_farah93, captures an emotional farewell at the Subang Air Base on Nov 18.
It shows the soldier preparing to depart for Lebanon as part of the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping and humanitarian mission under the Malaysian Battalion 850-12 (Malbatt 850-12).
In the clip, the father is seen tenderly feeding his daughter a spoonful of sambal prawn nasi lemak, her favourite dish, while her mother looks on.
Overcome with emotion, the soldier—part of the fourth group heading to Lebanon—wipes away tears in the touching moment.
The soldier's elder sister, who uploaded the video, said the touching gesture was their father's way of showing love before her departure.
"Thank you to those who prayed for the safety of our youngest sibling.
"Alhamdulillah, a meal of nasi lemak with prawn sambal from mom and dad for their youngest child. See you another day, little sibling," said the caption that accompanied the clip.
The video struck a chord with netizens, many of whom lauded the soldier's bravery and the strong family bond depicted.
"If they're willing to join the Malbatt mission, they are brave individuals ready to do anything for their family, race, and the country's name. May they have a safe journey to and from," user @Isnatulatul said.
"I was with Malbatt 09. Towards the end of the mission, my father passed away. Being far away, I couldn't return and had to accept His (God's) will. Tears flowed as I watched this video," user @norakma85 shared.
The soldier is among the team deployed to Lebanon to support the UN's efforts in maintaining peace and providing humanitarian assistance, representing Malaysia on the global stage.
Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari previously said that the group comprises seven officers and 202 personnel from the Malaysian Armed Forces, led by Malbatt 850-12 deputy commander Lieutenant Colonel Firdaus Shah Budin.
He said the Malbatt 850-12 contingent deployments have been carried out in stages, with the first group departing on Nov 6.