Merdeka or Independence Day for the peninsula on 31 August – later adopted as National Day – is just around the corner.
Once again, I ponder about Malaysia at this time of the year. And I realise why I should recognise its ordinary workers – both locals and migrants – who keep the nation humming and sailing smoothly.
These resilient workers include men and women in our uniformed services who keep vigil on our borders daily.
They are ordinary civil servants and employees in the private sector.
Others work in plantations, factories, retail businesses and services.
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Many supermarket, sundry shop and mini-market owners and employees work long hours, sometimes seven days a week, for our convenience.
There are thousands of domestic helpers without whose service local men and women would not have been able to be gainfully employed.
We have taxi and van drivers who entertain us with their banter on current developments in the country. And the food delivery drivers who, albeit reckless at times on the roads, nevertheless deliver our food on time.
Their services and sacrifices, especially during bad weather, are not always appreciated. But their commitment speaks volumes.
Kindhearted acts
Just this month alone, I experienced four heartwarming acts of kindness and humanity.
First, at a check-in kiosk in Kuala Lumpur airport, I tried to get my boarding pass for an overseas flight. After a few futile attempts, I called over a Malaysia Airports staff to assist me.
But he too was unable to resolve the problem and told me to get my boarding pass at the check-in counter.
Seeing a long queue there, I requested him to assist me, an older adult.
He kindly accompanied me to a counter, where I got my boarding pass within five minutes.
The second act. On my return, I found a long queue at all immigration counters, including the auto gates.
Then I spotted a counter with no passengers. However, the courteous young immigration officer behind the counter told me it was only meant for business-class passengers.
I asked her whether she could make an exception for a retired civil servant, pensioner and older adult.
She just smiled, attended to me and cleared me. She then asked me to wait a moment while she cleared another passenger behind me. After having dealt with him, she chatted with me, enquiring about my holiday and recommendations for regional holiday destinations.
The third act of kindness. From the airport, I took the airport express train to KL Sentral. From there, I took the elevated light rail – just one stop to Bangsar station. It was around 22:45. Upon disembarking at Bangsar station, no taxis were available.
So, I hailed a Rapid KL van, which drops passengers at any bus stop along the road parallel to where I live, as there are no bus stops along my road.
I asked the driver if he could make a little detour and drop me in front of my house as it was late at night and I was carrying luggage.
He obliged.
The fourth act happened just a couple of weeks ago. For dinner at my favourite restaurant in Lucky Gardens, I ordered roti canai and iced syrup. The restaurant was crowded, and I sat next to a gentleman and struck a conversation with him. I told him the best roti canai anywhere is made in this restaurant.
He smiled and agreed with me. After some time, he noticed my roti canai and drink had not arrived. He called the waiter and pointed to my table.
I told him it was OK as the restaurant was packed and it usually has decent service.
He finished his dinner and excused himself, as he had to leave to pick up his wife from Tenaga Nasional Bhd in Bangsar. What he did next amazed me! He took my bill and told me dinner was on him.
I was taken aback, as this was the first time a stranger had volunteered to pay for my dinner. I initially refused, but he insisted.
The above four heartwarming episodes were about four ethnic Malays showing humanity and kindness to me, an ethnic Indian. They rekindled my hope that people can still cross the ethnic and religious divide, showing that humanity is all-pervading.
These four episodes will be etched in my memory for a long time.
I see ordinary people in Malaysia of all ethnicities getting along so well in their everyday lives. It is only some politicians who at times use racial and religious rhetoric to create a chasm among the people.
Ordinary people must always stand united to surmount such conniving politicians. After all, Malaysia draws its strength as a nation from its multi-racial, multi-religious and multicultural mosaic. Our diversity is a blessing for us. We must continue to celebrate and cherish our potpourri of cultures and traditions.
The current indecisive geopolitical developments leave us no option but to remain united and steadfast. We must facing unanticipated challenges with tenacity and fortitude.
Migrant workers fuelling our economy
Oblivious to many locals are the contributions by foreign workers who propel the nation’s economy. They toil through the humidity, scorching sunshine and rain to ensure the nation continues to progress and prosper. Without them, the country would have lost billions of ringgit in terms of goods and services produced.
These ‘unseen hands’ toil silently in plantations, construction sites, factories and business premises. Some of them keep our towns and cities clean and neat.
Now, many migrants have started businesses of their own – small petty shops by the roadside and five-foot ways selling fruit, coconut water and even ‘economy meals’. Some have even set up their own little commercial centres with even the locals patronising these outlets.
The commercial hub along Jalan Tun Tan Siew Sin in the nation’s capital is a case in point, alongside Chinatown, where almost all the booths are serviced by Bangladeshi and Nepalis workers.
Wake-up call
There is a lesson here. The locals appreciate the hard work and dedication of these foreign workers.
Many of the migrant workers have succeeded, despite limited specialised skills, and now earn decent wages. They started from scratch and picked up skillsets along the way. They are now the preferred artisans and support staff for fixing things in homes and offices. Many are adept at minor home repairs or an assortment of other minor services.
It is time for the locals to think about their future. Jobs in the civil services and the private sectors have become increasingly scarce with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI).
Local school leavers should emulate the work ethic of these guest workers. It would be good to see more locals getting into some of the jobs that are currently the monopoly of foreign workers. This will give these locals more exposure to this kind of work ethic and prepare them for eventual careers in their chosen profession.
The local papers are full of such success stories. There is the case of a school dropout who became a junior shipping clerk and now helms a successful shipping agency.
So on this National Day, let’s also recognise the millions of foreign workers from a host of other countries who have found in this nation a haven to work and stay.
Let’s say thank you to these workers for their dedication and devotion in making our nation clean, productive and functioning so well in all aspects of our daily lives.
Selamat Hari Merdeka, Selamat Hari Kebangsaan. (Happy Independence Day, Happy National Day.)
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Selamat Hari Kebangsaan!. We can unite.
Very well described! Human endeavour does not discriminate cast or creed or colour. Hard work brings rewards.!!