Melaka exco member pays tribute to late father who worked as garbage collector

MELAKA: A Melaka executive councillor has paid a touching tribute to his late father, who used to work as a garbage collector and sanitation worker, calling him an unsung hero.

Melaka science, technology, innovation and digital communications committee chairman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan described his father as a hardworking man who kept the streets of Alor Gajah clean as a sanitation worker in Alor Gajah from 1978 until he retired in 2013.

“I am not a son of a doctor or a lawyer but my dad was a great inspiration to me and my three siblings. We are proud and lucky to be his children,” he said in an interview on Tuesday (Dec 10).

Fairul Nizam said his father, Roslan Hashim, made sure all his children excelled in their studies even though he only earned a meagre income while his mother was a housewife.

“My father always reminded us that education was the key to success,” he said.

He said his father used to wake up at 5am every day to send all his children to school before reporting to work.

“My dad was also responsible for the upkeep of the large bronze keris sculpture at Dataran Keris and his service in maintaining the district landmark garnered praise from the state government.

“Sadly, he passed away in 2013 at age 56, shortly after he retired, and is unable to see his son make it as an exco member,” he said.

Fairul Nizam said this was why he volunteered to be in the organising team for the Appreciation Night for Sanitation Workers held at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh on Monday (Dec 9).

“I know many of these workers and families through my dad and I am very close to them and treat them as my family members,” he said.

Fairul Nizam said Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh was instrumental in organising the inaugural event for sanitation workers to pay tribute to their contribution to society.