Photo story of extraordinary Bangladeshi worker in Malaysia goes viral

A photo story about a Bangladeshi who has been working in Malaysia for 27 years at a great personal sacrifice away from his family has gone viral, drawing huge reactions from Malaysian netizens.

Humans of Kuala Lumpur, a popular Facebook page founded by Mushamir Mustafa, a freelance photojournalist, posted the photo story on Friday morning, which received 34000 reactions, 1600 comments and 11000 shares in less than 24 hours.

The Bangladeshi in the photo story is Abu Bakar, a 70-year-old cleaner who works at Klang Parade, a shopping complex in Klang of the southeast Asian country's Selangor. He is the oldest among his crew.

The photo story is narrated in first person:

"I left my homeland Bangladesh 27 years ago when my fifth child was just 6 months old. I haven't returned since. I miss my family and they miss me too. But this is for them.

"All of this is for their future.

"I came to Malaysia because I heard there were plenty of jobs here. Even if it is just doing jobs that no one else wants to do, I'll do it. I've been doing it 7 days a week, 365 days a year for the past 27 years. I haven't once taken a day of sick leave or even an off day. And I'm still going strong, Insha'Allah.

"My needs are simple. I send most of my earnings back to my family. I wake up, I bathe, I have my breakfast, I go to work, I come back, I talk to my family back home over the phone, I rest and it's the same thing the next day, and the day after that. I have made some good friends here, too.

"One of my daughters is now a judge, another is a doctor and my son is an engineer. I'm thankful for what they have achieved.

"This December I will be going home for good and finally see my family again. It will be the first time I'll see my two grandchildren.

"I can hardly wait."

What amazed Malaysians most of the story were his sacrifice and working without leave for long 27 years, which many termed as inspiring, while some compared it to sheer slavery.

Here is an overview of the reactions expressed by Malaysian netizens.

Mogan Selvakannu said, " A standard “feel good” story we Malaysians love to consume. Yet what’s alarming here, in my honest opinion, is the lack of worker’s welfare and rights that he deserves but did not receive.

I understand that it was and is his choice (or lack of choice) but the fact that he was allowed to work every day for 27 years is slavery. 27 years of his life he will never get back because of the systems imposed on him.

"Local authorities and his employers have robbed him off his rights to live at least a minimum standard of living. At the end of the day, all we do is thank him for his service through Facebook, to feed our ego or need to “feel good”?

Fadhlie Ikram said,  "A word has meaning, and it's easy to use words out of context sometimes, or to perceive a metaphor or hyperbole as literal.

"But this is not slavery. It is his choice, to work on job that nobody wants and give his family a better life(and he did it!). You may not like his choice, but he made that choice.

"Now if he's chained to his workplace, and literally forced to work against his will, I will concur with you. But it's not it."

Amir Ebn Sharif Tonmoy, said, "A proud parent and grandparent from Bangladesh. Thanks to lovely Malaysians who support this gentleman, my countryman.  Inshallah, you will live long and happily with your family for the rest of your life."

Bryan Tang said, "I am never ever rude to labourers because I know the sacrifices and pain they have to go through or have had to go through. Now for those with 'professional title' 4 out of 10 I can eye-roll them."

Juang Sheng Koo said, "27 years without a single leave nor sick leave...this is at least one good value we, the Malaysians, need to learn. My utmost respect to you sir, leaving family back home for 27 years is no ordinary feat. Rejoice with your family and may you have a happy retirement."

Juang Sheng Koo said, "For whatever reasons that have kept this great gentleman here for 27 years consecutively, he remains exemplary to me. I would rather see things from the positive side of things. Bersangka baik selalu my fellow Malaysians, the main thing that will keep us Malaysians bonded for years to come."

Rahimawati Abd Rahim said, "Have a safe trip home..thanks so much for your contribution to Malaysia...may Allah bless you and your family..happy reunited."

Barely a few days ago, a portrait of a Bangladeshi construction worker with silver coloured eyes with chiseled looks staring intently into the camera in Malaysia popped on the internet.

Nearly 600,000 Bangladeshis are now working in Malaysia, one of the largest manpower markets for Bangladesh.

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