GEORGE TOWN: Decades spent sweeping roads and clearing drains went largely unnoticed, but for three Penang Island City Council (MBPP) workers, serving the community made every hardship worthwhile.
Popularly known as the Wira Baju Kuning (Yellow Shirt Heroes) for their distinctive yellow uniforms, these Urban Services Department frontliners handle the island’s 3D (dangerous, dirty and difficult) jobs.
One such worker, 55-year-old Asmadi Ishak, who joined the council when he was just 28, admitted that there were times when he felt hurt by how others viewed their work.
“People might look down on us, and I felt hurt at times, but we ignored the insults and used them as motivation to keep going,” he said.
He was among six Wira Baju Kuning who received the Pingat Jasa Masyarakat in recognition of their contributions, in conjunction with Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Ramli Ngah Talib’s 85th birthday celebration yesterday.
Asmadi said the award showed that no job is too small when it is done in service of the community.
He was grateful that the council recognised the contributions of its frontline workers.
His co-worker Mohamed Rasull Sultan, 60, said the award is a fitting farewell ahead of his retirement in October.
Having joined MBPP at the age of 42, he said the job had brought both challenges and satisfaction.
“Sometimes people get angry and complain, but when they appreciate our work and treat us with respect, it makes us happy,” said the father of three and grandfather of two.
He said the award meant a great deal to him, describing it as a special gift before his retirement.
Another recipient, Mohamed Noor Ismail, 56, said his work had taken him through floods, storms and emergencies involving fallen trees.
“Our work keeps the environment clean and protects public health,” he said.
Mohamed Noor, who has spent 26 years in the role, urged young people not to feel embarrassed about becoming council cleaners.
“This is an honourable profession. Work hard and never be ashamed because we provide an essential service,” he said.
Meanwhile, M Summit Group chairman Datuk Seri Albert Moh See Eng, who was conferred the Darjah Gemilang Pangkuan Negeri (DGPN), dedicated the honour to two women who shaped his life and inspired his charitable efforts.
“The first is my late mother, who passed away eight years ago. She inspired me to give back through charity and community work.
“The second is my wife, who has stood by me through our 36 years of marriage.
“By taking care of our family, she allowed me to expand my business while continuing to do charity work,” he said after receiving the state award yesterday.
The DGPN carries the title Datuk Seri.
Moh said the M Summit Group remained committed to achieving a cumulative development value of RM3.5bil by 2035.
“We have achieved RM1bil and are now working towards the remainder.
“Over the next three to five years, we will undertake more developments in Penang, in line with the state’s major infrastructure projects such as the LRT,” he said.
