GEORGE TOWN: While other Muslims can seek shelter from the hot sun, there is no respite for those who must work outdoors.
In their bright yellow uniforms, workers from Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) Urban Services Department carry out their duties despite fasting and in temperatures as high as 35°C.
Respectfully nicknamed Wira Baju Kuning (Yellow Shirt Heroes), they are seen daily still doing 3D (dangerous, dirty, difficult) work.
Rezan Yahaya, 43, said the biggest challenge during Ramadan is conserving energy while handling physically demanding tasks such as clearing clogged drains and sweeping streets under the scorching sun.
“We start early in the morning. By noon, the heat becomes more intense. Your throat feels dry, your body tires quickly, but the work must go on,” he said.
Rezan, who has served for 16 years, said fasting while working in the heat was tough but had become routine.
Fortunately, supervisors allowed short breaks in shaded areas.
Colleague Zabidi Ismail, 55, admitted that the weather worsened the strain.
“When it gets too hot, we take a short break in a shaded area before resuming work. We cannot rest for long because the schedule is tight and areas under our care must be cleared quickly,” he said.
With more than 16 years of service, Zabidi said discipline and teamwork helped them sustain their pace throughout the fasting month.
Abu Bakar Othuman Mydin, 48, said they remained committed despite the risks of prolonged heat exposure.
“Even if we are instructed to clear clogged drains or step into drains with water rising to nose level to remove rubbish, we will still go,” he said.
Abu Bakar, who has served for more than seven years, said tasks such as unclogging drains, lifting heavy waste bags and sweeping busy roads became more challenging in extreme weather.
“There are days when the heat feels unbearable, and your uniform is soaked in sweat by mid-morning. But the city must remain clean,” he said.
MBPP environmental health assistant officer Farah Azreen Ahmad said in spite of the hard labour, there had never been a record of any of the workers suffering dehydration or heat stroke till they needed medical attention.
