“This job has been a blessing” - Young Malaysian Sacrificed His Youth to Take On a ‘Dirty’ Job to Support His Family

While many young adults are busy building their social lives, chasing ambitions, or simply enjoying the freedom that comes with being young, not everyone has that luxury.

This is the reality for one Malaysian man, who chose to set aside the typical experiences of youth and take on a job most would avoid.

Began working at age 15

Image Credit: The Star

At the age of 18, Wan Othman Wan Mohd Nor Hasyim began working as a refuse collector for Alam Flora Sdn Bhd. While most people would steer clear of the job because of the filth and stench, Wan Othman has since grown accustomed to it.

His motivation was clear – everything he does is for the sake of his family.

“When I first started four years ago, the smell was so bad it felt stuck in my nose. But after a while, I just got used to it. Now, I don’t even notice it.”

Wan Othman first entered the workforce when he was just 15 years old. At the time, his family was struggling financially, prompting him to make the difficult decision to drop out of school to help ease the burden. His father was also employed by Alam Flora, while his mother was a housewife.

Initially, Wan Othman, who is now 23, said his dream was to become a police officer. However, as he did not complete his schooling, he had to set that dream aside.

“I have three siblings who are still in school, so I chose to support them. I want them to finish their studies. It’s okay if I don’t complete my studies, but not them,” he said.

Aside from his 9 PM to 6 AM shift, Wan Othman also takes on part-time work at a restaurant during the day.

Challenges & stigma

In an interview, Wan Othman shared that some people look down on the work he does, but he said he couldn’t care less about others’ opinions of him or his job. What matters most to him is that the work is halal and that he doesn’t disturb anyone.

Image Credit: Daily Express

While many assume the hardest part of the job is dealing with the smell, Wan Othman said the real challenge lies in dealing with improperly secured garbage bins, which often result in rubbish being scattered in front of homes.

“Some homeowners actually get angry at us. They claim we don’t collect the rubbish properly or demand that we clean the entire area in front of their houses.”

He added that there are times when cars are parked in front of garbage houses, making it difficult for him and his co-workers to carry out their duties.

Image Credit: Storie | TikTok

Despite these challenges, Wan Othman said not everyone he encounters while working is unkind, some encounters restore his faith in humanity.

“Many people are really good to us. They give us drinks and food while we collect rubbish in neighbourhoods.”

When asked about his future, Wan Othman revealed that he is currently taking his lorry driving licence in the hope of one day fulfilling his dream of driving a heavy vehicle.

He’s not the only youth who chooses this job

Meanwhile, Alam Flora Kuantan district operations executive Khairul Hajrin Khairuddin said that Wan Othman is one of 10 young employees aged between 18 and 23.

“This job requires young, energetic workers, which is why we recruit new hires up to the age of 35."

He said, "In developed countries, refuse collectors are often regarded as essential and respected workers who play a vital role in maintaining cleanliness and sustainability.”

Image Credit: Alam Flora

He added that the district currently employs 154 refuse collectors aged between 18 and 56.

On average, the workers collect about 24 tonnes of waste per night using three lorries. During the day, however, waste collection by 50 lorries can reach up to 400 tonnes.

Featured Image Credit: Harian Metro, Storie | TikTok