Mohd Naim leading the pack with Panti after the young elephants enjoyed a bath in the river at Johor Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/The Star
HARI Raya Aidilfitri is a time for Muslims to celebrate with their loved ones, but for those working in frontline and essential services, it is a sacrifice they make in the name of duty.
For example, wildlife assistant Mohd Naim Hamiz, 27, will be spending most of his day during Hari Raya next week with his charges at Johor Elephant Sanctuary in Kota Tinggi.
The Johor Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) staff said he was one of nine people in the sanctuary’s husbandry unit taking care of three young elephants.
“We have to be on duty every day on rotation to ensure the animals’ needs are well taken care of, because the most important part about tending to elephants is consistency.
“Hari Raya will be like any other day for me as I will have to see that the elephants are in good condition, which includes taking them for exercise, bathing them in the river, doing health checks and cleaning their cages,” Mohd Naim told StarMetro in an interview.
He said usually two handlers would take care of one elephant at the sanctuary, and as such he would be taking turns with his partner to take festive breaks.
The father-of-three said this would be his second time working on the first and second day of Hari Raya, with the first being when he joined Perhilitan in 2022.
“Last year my partner worked on Hari Raya, so this year it will be my turn.
“I don’t mind working during the celebrations because I really love Panti, a five-year-old male elephant under my care. He was rescued from Kota Tinggi.”
Mohd Naim said the handlers were those who knew the animal’s behaviour and habits the best.
“Thankfully, my village is in Kampung Jawa which is nearby, so I can still celebrate the festivities with my family after I leave work at 5pm.
“However, I will need to return to duty from 8pm until 10pm for a final check on the elephants before calling it a day,” he said.
He planned to take his family for a road trip during the second week of Hari Raya to make it up to them while also avoiding traffic congestion.
Responsibility
For Immigration officer Ahmad Muhammad Aqbar, sacrificing his festive break is part and parcel of working for a uniformed body.
“I will be on duty at Pekan Nanas immigration detention centre throughout Hari Raya, to handle illegal immigrants who were given court orders to return to their home countries including the African nations, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
“As a civil servant it is my responsibility, but it was a bit tough when I first told my eight-year-old son that I would not be able to fully spend the festive period with him.
“I had to make it up to him by taking him for picnics, which is his favourite activity.
Ahmad Muhammad Aqbar (second from right) briefing his team during a roll call at Pekan Nanas immigration detention centre.
“I also bought him two sets of baju raya and new shoes to match,” said the 40-year-old Immigration deputy assistant director from the detention centre’s control and security unit.
The father of three said that last year, he sent his family back to his wife’s hometown in Kedah on Hari Raya eve before rushing back to Johor in time for work.
“It is my responsibility as the head of the family to make sure they are safe and able to enjoy the celebration, so that I can also have peace of mind to execute my duties at work,” he said.
Ahmad said this year, he and his team had requested a fellow colleague to cook rendang for a mini feast to be celebrated with all those on duty.
Pride in work
Sweeper from SWM Environment Sdn Bhd Azila Atan, 38, said she was surprised when she found out that she would have to work during Hari Raya and could not enjoy her break.
“This will be my fourth year working on Hari Raya and I have come to terms with it.
Azila says she does not feel lonely working on Hari Raya as there will be 20 others working alongside her.
“I pride myself on my work and see myself as a frontliner in keeping the streets and environment clean,” she said, adding that her family’s support was also what kept her going.
Azila said she did not feel lonely as there would be 20 other cleaning staff, including seven women, working alongside her this year.
She added that her husband had been a great help in taking care of their two young children as she usually left their Felda Kahang Barat home at 5.30am to reach Kluang town for her 6am shift.
“On the eve of Hari Raya, we plan to cook up a feast together and I will hand the baton to my husband to tend to our children on the first of Syawal.
“I am eager to return home to continue celebrating with them after I end my work day at 3pm,” she said.
Manning the fort
Pulai Springs Resort assistant front office manager Mohd Faizal Sulaiman will be donning his baju raya to work on the first day of Hari Raya, to get in the festive mood.
“Feeling depressed or down about having to work while others enjoy their holiday is out of the question, because I knew what I signed up for when I entered the hospitality industry about 18 years ago.
“The festive season is usually a peak period for the hotel, so only about 30% of the staff are allowed to go on leave while the rest of us have to man the fort.
“Like previous years, I intend to make the most of my time on duty.
Mohd Faizal says he knew what he signed up for when he entered the hospitality industry 18 years ago.
“Welcoming guests at the resort’s reception is also a form of spreading cheer and celebration,” said the 50-year-old father of two.
Mohd Faizal said he looked forward to spending quality time with his loved ones either in the first or second half of the day, depending on his shift.
“Most of my relatives are in Johor Baru, so I do not mind working on Hari Raya to give way to my colleagues whose hometowns are outside of Johor a chance to celebrate with their loved ones,” he added.
Civil service
Policeman Sjn Abdul Hadi Mohd Puad, 55, said it had been years since he celebrated Hari Raya with his relatives at his hometown in Parit, Perak.
“It will be like any other day at work for me.
“My family is also used to it since I have been in the police force for 35 years,” he said.
Abdul Hadi (third from left) and his colleagues will be on duty to keep traffic flowing smoothly on Johor’s roads this Hari Raya Aidilftiri.
Abdul Hadi, who is with the Johor police’s traffic investigation and enforcement department, said his schedule would normally be busier than usual during the festive season as part of his job was to ensure smooth traffic flow on the roads.
He will also be on standby to escort state officials or other dignitaries to ensure they reach their destination in a safe and timely manner.
“I will usually ensure that my family’s festive preparations are done in advance.
“Depending on my shift, I will either celebrate with them in the morning before going to work or in the evening after completing my tasks.
“Similar to previous years, I will pack some homemade kuih and festive dishes to share with my fellow colleagues on duty, to keep our spirits high,” he added.
Appreciation
Sarawakian Amir Amit, a medical assistant at Mahmoodiah Health Clinic near Hospital Sultanah Aminah, will be celebrating his first Hari Raya in Johor after being posted to the state last August.
“However, this will not be my first time celebrating Raya without my family,” the 28-year-old said.
“Since being in the service from 2020, I have only gone home for the celebration once.
Amir looks forward to celebrating Raya with his future wife next year.
“I do feel a tinge of sadness about the distance between me in Johor and my family in Sarawak.
“Previously, I worked at Hospital Miri and Lawas Health Clinic, both of which are in Sarawak,” said Amir, adding that he would make a video call to his family in Limbang on Hari Raya.
Amir recounted his most unforgettable memory of working during the festive season when he and his colleagues were given a cake by a patient.
“She is an elderly woman who visits the clinic regularly to monitor her health.
“To show her appreciation and to cheer us up, she gave us a cake. We appreciate her simple yet sweet gesture,” he said.
Recently engaged, Amir said his fiancee, also a Sarawakian, would be celebrating Hari Raya with her family in their home state.
“We may be able to celebrate Hari Raya together towards the last few days of the festival as she will be back in Batu Pahat, where she works.
“I hope we will be able to celebrate Hari Raya together next year as we would be married by then,” he added.
Not alone
Firefighter Salwa Ali, 33, believes she will find this Aidilfitri more difficult after losing a colleague, who was also her best friend.
“She was the only other woman firefighter in my office. We worked together for years and became very close friends,” she said of the colleague who passed due to a lung infection a few months ago.
“Before this, I did not work alone during Hari Raya as she was always there beside me.
Salwa will miss her late colleague and best friend.
“My fondest memory is when we cooked Hari Raya dishes together for our other colleagues.
“This year, it will be just me,” said Salwa, who is from Johor Fire and Rescue Department’s operation centre.
She added that this would be her third time spending Hari Raya away from her family and loved ones, including her 10-year-old daughter.
Salwa, who has been in the department for about eight years, said simple gestures from senior officers and the public in sending over festive dishes, helped keep the Raya spirit alive.
Salwa, who receives emergency calls on a daily basis, also reminded the public to be extra careful and alert when cooking during the festive season.
“Based on figures collected at the operation centre, we found that cooking is the leading cause of fire during festive seasons, including Hari Raya.
“Even throughout the month of Ramadan, we received a lot of calls about kitchen fires.
“In some cases, the person cooking for sahur (pre-dawn meal) fell asleep or forgot about the dish they were cooking, leading to a fire,” she said.
Recalling past cases while being on duty during the festive season, Salwa said the most devastating one involved a baby who was killed in a fire.
“A family had gathered in a house to celebrate the festival three years ago when the tragedy happened.
“While rushing out of the house, the three-year-old was accidentally left in a room and later died.
“It is one of the saddest cases I have seen as it happened on Hari Raya,” she said.
Bittersweet
Similarly, Maritime Leftenan Nur Hasif Bakhtiar, 37, recalls an unforgettable 2015 when a boat ferrying some 80 illegal immigrants capsized in Selangor waters.
“When the tragedy happened, I was based in Lumut, Perak, where I was deployed to help with the search-and-rescue mission.
“It is common for illegal immigrants to sneak in and out over the borders during Aidilfitri.
“In this case, the boat was leaving Malaysian waters when it capsized,” said.
Nur Hasif said the tragedy was one of the most challenging and depressing cases he had ever come across.
“We conducted search and rescue for about seven days.
“It is not an easy task but we saved two or three victims who managed to cling onto some wood and a fishing barrel.
“The rest of them were unfortunately found dead,” he said.
Nur Hasif will be at sea during the festive period.
Nur Hasif, who has been with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency since 2012, will also be out at sea for six days during the festive season to patrol and protect Johor waters.
“It is not my first time being at sea for Hari Raya, so my crew and I will usually bring some Hari Raya dishes such as ketupat and rendang.
“We also decorate our ship to keep the atmosphere festive,” said the father of four from Muar.
“It is bittersweet for me because my three-year-old daughter has yet to experience having her father around for Hari Raya.
“On the other hand, I am also proud because I get to serve the people and keep our waters safe at a time when others are enjoying their Hari Raya,” he said.
He urged the public, especially those in the maritime community, to heed authorities’ advice when out at sea and adhere to safety regulations.
