Sapno Tukijo, the 50-year-old bilal who last Sunday opened the doors of Penang Free School surau to flood victims, including non-Muslims, had earned him much praise.

But for the flood victims, many of whom were neighbours of the surau along Lengkuk P Ramlee, Sapno is more than someone who just happened to provide them shelter.

Lee Swee Cheng, 50, who received shelter at the surau, said Sapno was well known in the neighbourhood as being a kind and generous man.

"He is a kind-hearted neighbour, friendly and would always help others out.

"I am grateful to him for helping us out during the floods in this neighbourhood which reached chest-level," she was quoted as saying by Berita Harian...