Compassionate disposition: Roslan handing out food packets to victims of the Hulu Langat floods in 2021; and (below) Roslan.
Trader’s profits set aside to help those in need
IPOH: Night market trader Roslan Ali works hard to ensure that what he earns partially goes to help the people in need.
The 52-year-old father of three said he had been doing this for many years.
But it was during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 that he decided to set up an NGO as many people had sought help from him.
He sells clothes at the famous Gerbang Malam night market here, and whatever he earns, after deducting his expenses, mostly goes to helping the needy via his NGO known as AJ Kinta Perak Community Welfare Association.
Roslan said he never looks at race or religion when helping people as everyone is equal in his eyes.
“During the various movement control orders, people were suffering and they approached me for help.
“So whatever extra earnings I had, I used them to purchase rice bags, sugar and other essential goods to be distributed to the less fortunate.
“I also tried to get assistance from other organisations and corporations at that time to help fund the purchase of essential goods,” he said in an interview.
Roslan said besides helping out with the supply of basic necessities, there were also people who came to him for other matters.
“I never tell people that I cannot help them. I always listen to them and then find ways to support and solve their problems.
“While many came to me asking for daily necessities, there were also those who requested my help to address problems in their neighbourhood such as potholes, clogged drains, overgrown grass and illegal dumpsites.
“I never turn them away. I take down their complaints, then I would call up the relevant government agencies to get these issues resolved,” he added.
Roslan said there was also a case where a couple came to him because they wanted their son to be in the police force.
“Many years ago, he was at the wrong place at the wrong time during a fight, so his statements were recorded by the police as well.
“The incident tainted his background.
“His parents sought my help to get the issue sorted out and today, he is in the force,” he said.Roslan, who recently stepped down as the president of the Malaysia Indian Development Association after suffering a heart attack during the fasting month, said the Indian community in Buntong had so much trust and faith in him that they elected him to helm the association.
“I used to be a special officer for a politician for 15 years. That was when I made a lot of friends in the Indian community.
“During that period, one of my responsibilities was to actively interact with the community, providing assistance and support.
“As I developed a strong rapport with them, trust naturally grew over time,” he added.
He also said that when Hulu Langat was hit by floods in 2021, he forked out about RM1,400 to hire a lorry to give out daily essential items for the victims.
“I went there with my volunteers to distribute as much as I could,” he said.
Roslan said his NGO also has a van that he uses to transport senior citizens, the poor and the needy to hospital.
“There are people who cannot afford RM30 for a two-way trip using an ehailing service from their home to Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun in Ipoh.
“This is where some ask for my help as well.
“I hope that the state government or some corporations can work with me to ensure that such services are provided on a regular basis,” he said.
However, Roslan said that with or without assistance from others, he will continue his efforts as “helpfulness is a virtue”.
