PETALING JAYA: A nine-year-old girl now has a new friend, the nation's very own Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.

Lara Khadijah McAfee, from Kuala Terengganu, had made a loom band as a sign of friendship.

She sent it to Dr Noor Hisham as a thank you gift for all the hard work in helping the nation combat Covid-19.

In her letter, dated March 19, Lara said she does the loom bands, which are usually made out of colourful rubber and plastic bands turned into decorative items, for her friends to wear on their wrists as a sign of friendship.

"I have made this blue loom band for you, to thank you for all the work you are doing to help the people of Malaysia to stay safe and healthy during this virus outbreak.

"Stay safe, your friend, Lara," she wrote in her letter.

Lara received a reply letter from Dr Noor Hisham dated April 16, thanking her for the lovely bracelet she made.

"My granddaughter is wearing it and she likes it!

"Your words are too kind but I am not doing it alone. I am lucky to have a great team with me to help our country.

"Fellow Malaysians like yourself, have been a wonderful help by playing your part by staying at home," wrote Dr Hisham in his letter.

He also said the situation the nation is facing won't be for long and told Lara not to be too worried.

Dr Noor Hisham also advised her to study hard and keep up her grades.

"One day, it will be your turn to help Malaysia. Follow your dreams and work hard for it!" he said.

The letter was signed off as "from your new friend, Dr Hisham."

Lara's mother, Mutiara Jusuf McAffee, 46, said her daughter was excited when she received the letter from Dr Noor Hisham.

"She think she's famous," Mutiara chuckled.

Mutiara said Lara asked why Dr Noor Hisham had given the bracelet to his granddaughter as she made it for him.

"She asked me, how will it fit her because Lara followed her father's hand for sizing as she wanted to give it to Datuk (Dr Noor Hisham)," said Mutiara.

Mutiara said she always encouraged her five children to express themselves through writing.

Lara, who is the youngest in the family, often makes loom bands at home and sends them to her friends and relatives.

"So we thought, why not send the band to Dr Noor Hisham as a show of friendship.

"We checked to see what colours are related to healthcare, that is why we came up with the blue and white theme," she said.

Mutiara said they had couriered the letter on March 19, a day after the movement control order (MCO) took effect.

She had then tracked down the courier, but it did not reach the director-general's office, due to the MCO.

"His office called on Thursday (April 16) and asked for our address.

"As parents, my husband and I are happy that Datuk (Dr Noor Hisham) signed off the letter as Lara's new friend," she said.