KUALA LUMPUR: A foreign couple's hitchhiking adventure has sparked a lively debate among netizens, with some expressing concerns about whether their actions are taking advantage of local generosity.
In a TikTok video shared by @silkyrontheroad, the couple is seen standing by the roadside with a sign reading "Taman Negara," their intended destination.
They wave excitedly at passing vehicles and even dance in hopes of catching a ride.
Their persistence paid off when a kind-hearted local lorry driver stopped to offer them a lift.
The couple filmed the moment, capturing their ride inside the lorry and the busy traffic around them, all while smiling and enjoying the journey to Taman Negara.
In the caption, the couple asked, "Would you pick us up?" sharing their positive hitchhiking experience in Malaysia.
The video has since gone viral, amassing over 500,000 views and 20,000 likes.
However, it has also sparked heated discussions among netizens, with many questioning whether it's appropriate for the couple to seek help in this manner.
User @girpy123 suggested they should have "paid for a Grab," while @adammo80 commented on their "luck" in getting free rides.
Meanwhile, @asywa04 voiced a more critical opinion, saying that if they were short on funds, they should not travel at all.
In response, the couple defended their actions, insisting their motivation had "nothing to do with money" and stressing their desire to connect with locals and seek adventure.
Some locals came to their defence, with @apakhabarsayaiman urging the couple to ignore the negativity, understanding that their goal was to "connect with the locals."
He added that he would do the same to make friends worldwide.