If I asked you to name a Malaysian hero, which names usually come to mind? Tunku Abdul Rahman, our father of independence? Women’s rights advocate Aishah Ghani, or visionary leader Tun Tan Cheng Lock?
Yes, these are important historical figures who have made important contributions to the country, forever enshrined in our history books. But what about the unsung heroes, the everyday Malaysians who keep the country running, often without fanfare or recognition, but whose efforts form the backbone of our society?
In celebration of the 67th year of independence this month, OPPO has launched its “Merdeka Ke-67 Bersama OPPO” campaign to highlight the dedication of these unsung heroes. It’s always the mundane that makes up life, after all.
To understand what drives these everyday heroes, we reached out to a few and asked them what Hari Merdeka means to them and what they love most about Malaysia.
Editor
Jennifer chevron_right
Table of Contents
Meeting Malaysia’s Everyday Heroes
We kicked off our conversations with two very different but equally important contributors to society – a dedicated police officer and a hardworking delivery rider. Both roles are vital in ensuring our safety and convenience, yet they often go unnoticed.
Q: What is the hardest part of your job?
When we posed this question to our police officer, she paused thoughtfully before answering. “The hardest part is trying to satisfy everyone. Nowadays, people are more exposed to information and have gotten more argumentative, so it’s hard to satisfy everyone.”
The delivery rider, on the other hand, shared a more physical challenge. “For me, the hardest part is definitely the weather and the road conditions. It can be dangerous, especially when it rains.”
Q: What gives you the motivation to work every day?
The delivery rider answered without missing a beat. “My family. My wife and son.”
For the police officer, the motivation came from something deeply personal. “I come from an ordinary family, and I’ve always had a mission to make my family proud.”
Q: What is your favourite part of the job?
Our police officer was candid about the challenges women face in her field. “It’s tough being a woman in PDRM. Not a lot of women join, and there are still some obstacles we face. It’s tough, but I am proud to be able to wear this uniform. I love my profession.”
For the delivery rider, the joy comes in the connections. “I meet so many different people every day. That’s the best part for me.”
Their answers are simple, yet profound, and show how much dedication and resilience our unsung heroes carry with them every day. Their roles may not always be glamorous, but they are essential, and this Merdeka, we want to celebrate them.
**Answers are paraphrased and/or translated. They do not reflect the views or opinions of ProductNation and OPPO.
Capturing Our Heroes with the OPPO Reno12
As part of our campaign, we had the privilege of photographing these unsung heroes using the OPPO Reno12 in Sunset Pink. The OPPO Reno12, in case you missed it, is OPPO’s latest mid-range phone with industry-leading GenAI features that enhance smartphone photography.
Powered by a custom 4nm MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy mobile platform, co-developed by MediaTek and OPPO, the Reno12 Series offers practicality and durability all in one package!
For example, the Live Photo feature on the OPPO Reno12 transforms still images into dynamic ones filled with motion and emotion. Basically, Live Photos can bring your important moments to life
With the OPPO Reno12, you can shoot Live Photos at all focal lengths, apply retouching and beauty effects, customise cover frames, and post directly to Instagram Stories. It’s about capturing the story behind the photo, not just the image itself.
For this campaign, though, we’re more focused on the AI and camera features on the OPPO Reno12. The OPPO Reno12 brings a suite of AI-powered tools that make photo editing more creative and easier than ever. For instance, the AI Eraser 2.0 really helped us with removing unwanted objects from the photos, like this car in the background of our Abang Grab.
Left: Before, Right: After
Besides that, the AI Studio provides endless opportunities to play around with possibilities. We met someone who aspires to be a firefighter, and with the help of AI Studio, we made his dream come true (on the phone’s screen, anyway)!
We also turned the police officer into a fantasy superhero as well!
Here are other photos that we took of the amazing unsung heroes we interviewed:
Meet The Heroic Sunset Pink
One of the standout features of the OPPO Reno12 is its new colour option – Sunset Pink. This beautiful, peachy pink shade is inspired by retro blooming patterns and evokes the soft, relaxing hues of a sunset. But what makes it truly special is what it represents.
The colour symbolises the tireless dedication of Malaysia’s unsung heroes. Just like the soft light of a setting sun that signals the end of the day for many, there are those who continue to work long after sunset.
Whether it’s firefighters, doctors, or police officers, these individuals don’t clock out when the day is done. They work around the clock, ensuring our safety and well-being. The Sunset Pink of the OPPO Reno12 is a tribute to their enduring commitment.
As we celebrate 67 years of Malaysian independence, it’s important to remember the everyday Malaysians who help keep this country moving forward. From the police officer maintaining law and order to the delivery rider ensuring we get our essentials, these unsung heroes deserve our recognition.
In celebration of Merdeka, OPPO is offering the Reno12 at a special promotional price of RM1,999 (RRP: RM2,199) from now until 17 September. It’s the perfect opportunity to get your hands on OPPO’s first AI-powered phone and capture your life moments just as beautifully as we did with these heroes.
Good news for our Malaysian heroes as well: with any purchase of the OPPO Reno12 or OPPO Reno12 Pro, you’ll be able to get the OPPO Pad Air (4+128GB) for only RM67 (RRP RM1,299)! This promotion is valid for members of the Fire & Rescue Department of Malaysia, The Malaysian Armed Forces, The Royal Malaysia Police, The Royal Malaysia Customs, and all doctors and medical personnel.
Visit OPPO’s Merdeka campaign page for more details, and join us in celebrating the people who make Malaysia extraordinary.
Let’s capture every moment together – for the heroes and for all Malaysians!