Muhammad Luqman using sign language to communicate with the media who visited him in the park. — Bernama
Muhammad Luqman Hashim, who is speech- and hearing- impaired, is a man who is proud of his job which he rightly claims helps to ensure the cleanliness of his home state of Melaka.
The 34-year-old SWM Environment Sdn Bhd (SWM Environment) employee expressed pride at handling what many able-bodied Malaysians consider a 3D – dangerous, dirty and demeaning – job.
His role ensured that the Melaka Botanical Park in Ayeh Keroh, remains clean, tidy and beautiful.
“I’m really proud of having been accepted as part of the cleaning crew at SWM Environment six years ago.
“Even though I’ve been deaf and mute from birth, I’ve been entrusted to carry out the work set for me.
“Every day I will ensure the dry leaves and rubbish around the Melaka Botanical Park are cleared away using a blower, as the park is a destination for locals and tourists, especially with this year being Visit Melaka Year 2024,” Muhammad Luqman told Bernama through a sign language interpreter.
Muhammad Luqman also shared that he met his wife Hizatul Fateha Fowzi, 32, who is also speech- and hearing- impaired like him, at SWM Environment.
Both of them were assigned to clean areas within a close distance of each other.
Muhammad Luqman was also thankful that he had not been given preferential treatment nor discriminated against by his co-workers at work.
Instead, he has been able to work harmoniously with them.
He recollected that it had initially been hard to communicate with his co-workers and employers because not many of them knew sign language.
So, they resorted to typing messages on their mobile phones instead.
“But now many of my co-workers, including my supervisor, know sign language and we are able to communicate better.
“The present workplace environment strengthens my spirit to continue to contribute to my community, state and country,” said Muhammad Luqman.
He added that his supervisor would monitor every task given to him and other persons with disabilities (PwDs) to ensure these jobs could be carried out properly and to ensure their workplace safety.
Meanwhile, SWM Environment work chief Mohd Faizul Kamaruddin, 32, said that disabled employees needed to be given fair work opportunities.
He said PwDs were capable of contributing in ways similar to able-bodied workers, if they were provided guidance and monitored.
“I started supervising Muhammad Luqman in 2021. He is capable of doing his cleaning tasks well and following orders, as are several other disabled workers here,” he said.
SWM Environment corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin said the company currently employed 34 persons with various disabilities.
He said PwDs were always welcome to become part of their corporate family.
“Having a disability does not disqualify anyone from working, as they are capable of being a good example and an inspiration to the able-bodied community,” said Mohd Norlisam.
