#trending: Forlorn M'sian hawker asks netizens to edit customers into photo of her empty stall; bikers turn up to make it reality

NEGERI SEMBILAN, MALAYSIA — A hawker’s dream to see her shop brimming with customers became a reality after a heartfelt request for netizens to edit patrons into a photo of her deserted stall went viral.

On Oct 29, Malaysian Facebook user Saliza Ita turned to members of the group “Edit Apa Hari Ini” (“What To Edit Today”) for help with editing a photo of her food stall in Bandar Seri Jempol, Negeri Sembilan, about 100-km south-east of Kuala Lumpur. 

"Edit Apa Hari Ini" is a community on Facebook where users can submit public requests for help with editing pictures.

Posting a photo of her patronless stall, Ms Saliza wrote: "Could you help edit this photo of my stall to look like it has many customers?"

"I've always wanted to have many customers like other food stalls that have gone viral, even though that is just a dream. Hopefully, these daydreams can become reality."

Sharing her struggles, the owner of Mehwan Gulai Kawah confessed that she had almost given up on her business but persisted because it was the only way she could make a living. 

She lamented that she once earned only RM47 (S$14.05) despite working the entire day.

Members of the group promptly acceded to her request, sharing doctored photos featuring tables full of customers and snaking queues.

"I hope your shop will be this crowded tomorrow," said one user who edited the following photo.

Some Facebook users who were not Photoshop whizzes added words of encouragement to Ms Saliza’s photo instead.

One user wrote: "I'm sorry I don't know how to edit photos…I hope your affairs will be eased and pray that you will receive an abundance of sustenance through many customers in future."

Many other netizens asked Ms Saliza for the location of her shop and promised to dine-in the next time they were in the area.

Ms Saliza’s Facebook post won the sympathy of many, chalking up more than 18,000 reactions, 2,800 comments and 1,900 shares since it was published.

BIKER GROUPS SHOW UP TO LEND SUPPORT

On Nov 6, Ms Saliza’s eatery posted an update on its official Facebook page that a group of motorcyclists had turned up to patronise the stall.

"These bikers are among the earliest groups that came to visit our shop. I took the opportunity to take some photos as a memory," she said.

The photos showed a band of at least 20 motorcyclists filling up the seats in front of Ms Saliza's stall, just like in the photos edited by netizens.

Subsequent posts on Mehwan Gulai Kawah's page showed other biker groups also paying the eatery a visit.

Expressing their gratitude, the stall owners wrote: "For the umpteenth time, these biker brothers have made our dreams a reality. Thank you so much."