For many Malaysians, a ‘bantal busuk’ is more than just a bedtime essential—it’s a cherished companion from childhood. While some eventually outgrow their attachment to it, others hold onto it well into adulthood.
Photo via TikTok (@muniswaranharirama)
One Malaysian man had long assumed he had lost his beloved ‘bantal busuk’ for good after it went missing in 2020. However, on his 34th birthday, he was stunned to receive an unexpected gift—his treasured pillow, lovingly preserved by a close friend.
In a TikTok video, the man shared how his friend had carefully placed the ‘bantal busuk’ in a clear acrylic box, accompanied by a few childhood photos. He admitted that he had believed he had misplaced it during a house move or that his friend had secretly thrown it away.
“This is my ‘bantal busuk’, which I’ve had since I was four years old in 1996. When I moved house in 2020, I thought I had left it behind somewhere. Turns out, my friend had been keeping it all these years just to return it to me on my birthday,” he explained.
The video quickly gained attention on TikTok, with many users sharing their own nostalgic experiences.
One person commented, “I still have mine from 1994! Sometimes I even argue with my child over who gets to keep it.”
Another user shared an even more touching story: “I’ve kept my ‘bantal busuk’ since I was a baby. One day, it went missing, so I found a replacement and continued using it. Years later, I noticed a tear at the corner and peeked inside. To my surprise, my mother had actually sewn my old ‘bantal busuk’ into the new one. Now, I find it even harder to part with it.”
For many, a ‘bantal busuk’ isn’t just a pillow—it’s a treasured piece of childhood, a source of comfort, and, in some cases, a lifelong companion.
Did you have something like a 'bantal busuk' while growing up?
