Security guard with a heart of gold to receive award from King

IPOH: A security guard’s empathy and kindness for others will see her receiving an award from the King.

R. Yogeswary, a security guard at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, has spent years ensuring smooth traffic flow, helping the disabled and making sure those in wheelchairs get in and out of their vehicles safely.

The 44-year-old mother of two is a familiar face who greets everyone, asks about patients’ well-being and is always there with a smile despite her 12-hour daily shift.

Her kindness and selflessness even went viral after a video of her helping patients and visitors was put up on social media.

In March this year, she received the “Sejahtera Wanita Award” in conjunction with the state-level Women’s Day celebration from Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

Now, she has won even greater recognition. She has been bestowed the Pingkat Pangkuan Negara (PPN) by the King and will receive her award on Dec 19 at Istana Negara.

When told about it, she was speechless.

Yogeswary said she had never even dreamed of receiving such an award personally from His Majesty.

“I really cannot believe it. I am happy and excited, but at the same time anxious as well.

“Helping people open car doors, holding the lift for patients and staff, calming anxious patients, and directing traffic, are all part of my responsibility.

“Earlier I was stationed at the hospital’s Women, Children and Cardiology complex, where I used to see a lot of mothers and their babies. Now, I am based at the daycare treatment complex, where I meet a lot of disabled patients who come in for rehabilitation, and surgeries,” she said when met at the hospital on Wednesday (Dec 6).

Yogeswary said that every morning before starting work, she would listen to prayer verses on her mobile phone, to keep herself calm and happy throughout the day.

“I know people that come to the hospital are already anxious, worried, and scared, and that is why I try small talk.

“If I can make a person feel better, why not?

“If doing small things like opening the car door, holding the lift, and just saying good morning helps, I will continue to do that,” she added.