Communications and Multimedia Minister Shabery Cheek might not have always been Malaysia’s favourite politician, but he might be now.

The UMNO minister, whose parliamentary seat is in Kemaman, Terengganu, has been seen on the ground in his home state doing what most Malaysians are hoping their elected officials would get in the habit of: directly helping flood evacuees.

Photos have gone viral depicting Shabery rolling up his sleeves (and pantslegs) passing out relief supplies in a line of volunteers, wading through flood water surveying the local situation for himself, even carrying an unconscious old woman during a medical emergency.

bernamadotcom: YB Kemaman Shabery Cheek turut membantu menghantar keperluan2 ke Seberang Tayo dan Batu 14 dengan… pic.twitter.com/XcjP1AtbKh — Malaysia News (@Malaysia_Latest) December 24, 2014

It’s official: Shabery Cheek has won the Internet.

Tweets from all across the Malaysian political divide have come pouring out in praise of Shabery’s no-nonsense approach to getting the job done:

Nice “@YasminMDeC: Deeply touched by Dato’ Sri Shabery Cheek’s sincerity in caring for those impacted by the floods. pic.twitter.com/XHvndMAliM“ — Marzuky Yusuf (@MarzukyYusuf) December 25, 2014

Hats off to our Minister , mr Ahmad Shabery Cheek #PrayForPantaiTimur pic.twitter.com/EIeGMpN1Yc — Hazlee (@hazleeseruji) December 26, 2014

what DS Shabery Cheek is doing in pantai timur i believe is the real definition of ‘turun padang’. — aidi affendi (@aidiaffendi) December 25, 2014

Shabery cheek, u have my respect sir!!! #PrayForPantaiTimur pic.twitter.com/UOEZdRHvoz — Mohd Faiz Mohd Noor (@mfaiznoor83) December 25, 2014

not bad Shabery Cheek , respect , at least hands on – finally a minister that thinks out of the box — Pradeesh (@prasys) December 29, 2014

Electoral rights activist Ambiga Sreenevasan, as is her wont, said what most Malaysians have had on their minds: where are all the other leaders?

Shabery Cheek has been hands on with the flood situation. And the other Ministers are where exactly? http://t.co/JQYh4M502q — Ambiga Sreenevasan (@Ambiga_S) December 29, 2014

Good job, sir. Thank you for putting in work.

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