Proud moment: Kalimuthu (third from left) and Wan Razak (centre) with their fellow council workers holding up their medals after the ceremony in George Town, Penang. —ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: Interest in trees led V. Kalimuthu to join the local council landscape department in 1995, and he has never looked back.
“I grew up climbing trees to pluck fruits and enjoyed the idea of working with trees and plants.
“One day, I noticed council workers cutting trees and realised it was my calling.
“Despite the dangers, I signed up for the job as it is my dream, even having my finger almost severed once,” he said when met on the last day of the Penang investiture ceremony for state awards, medals and honours held at Dewan Sri Pinang here yesterday.Kalimuthu, 58, received the Pingat Bakti Setia (PBS) at the event held in conjunction with the 75th birthday celebration of Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak.
The Penang Island City Council (MBPP) worker was joined by seven others from MBPP and Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP), who received the PBS or Pingat Jasa Masyarakat (PJM) award, for their work in 3D jobs (difficult, dangerous and dirty).
Called the tree whisperer by his colleagues, Kalimuthu said his duty now was to train the newbies.
“It is a dangerous job as we work on main roads exposed to vehicles and use machinery like chainsaws.
“I want to keep the workers safe so I teach them precautionary measures.”
Kalimuthu who was elated to receive his award said he plans on enjoying the remainder of his service.
“I will retire in 2026 and want to make sure I enjoy every single day as my work means the world to me.
“I have spent so many years with trees that I can tell when it is ill and how to save it,” he said.
Wan Razak Wan Chik, 59, who has been with the MBPP engineering department since 1988, said while others chose to work for factories back then, he hoped to secure a job with the council.
“I was a factory worker but wanted to work for the council as I believe there would be better job security.
“I love my job and even as retirement is approaching next year, I wish I could stay longer,” he said after receiving his PBS medal.
Wan Razak said he now supervises his team on the ground.
“I am in charge of checking on the roads when there are reports of potholes or other issues.
“It is a dangerous job as there was a time when a car sped through all the cones we set up along Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and almost knocked into us.
“Some motorists speed and we know that there is constant danger but the work must be done.
“My favourite part about my work is that we are a team, and no matter what happens, it works out when you work together,” he said.
