WORK is more than just earning a salary or making a living. Every job, whether big or small, carries trust and responsibility.
Accepting employment is, in essence, an agreement between employer and employee that every cent earned is in return for duties and responsibilities carried out with integrity and care.
In conjunction with Labour Day, Media Selangor’s photography team captures portraits of workers from diverse backgrounds, including those often overlooked, yet who form the backbone of society, from traffic police, dentists and forest rangers to security guards, sanitation workers and grave diggers.
Each image reflects not only their pride in what they do, but also their awareness of the trust and responsibility placed upon them. This is our small effort to express gratitude and appreciation to all workers for their sacrifices, often made without them realising just how significant they are.
Research Officer, Mohd Shahidan Mohamad Arshad, 51, with 27 years of experience, faces the challenge of integrating traditional botany with high-tech data science, while translating research into commercial value and responding swiftly to the global climate crisis. “The future workforce should be ‘scientist-entrepreneurs’ — tech-savvy, able to turn innovation into economic value while preserving environmental sustainability,” he said.
Muhammad Khairillah, 35, has spent a decade in carpentry, a craft that demands precision, patience and high skill. However, rising raw material costs have become a major challenge affecting daily operations. “I hope carpentry continues to be appreciated. I want to upgrade my skills and one day open classes for young people to learn,” he said.
Maelah Nawaw, 43, a landscaping cleaner in Bandar Baru Ampang, Ampang Jaya, has spent seven years beautifying public areas. Among the challenges is the risk of handling glass shards and sharp objects along roadsides. “I hope the public will not litter indiscriminately. Please dispose of waste properly,” she said.
Iman Munir, 28, a Lalamove e-hailing driver for three years, faces daily challenges including unpredictable weather and traffic congestion that affect delivery times, while maintaining discipline and commitment in every task. “I work consistently to improve my living standards, achieve financial stability and one day build my own business,” he said.
Mohamad Tahir Sumali, 39, bilal of the Sultan Suleiman Royal Mosque in Klang with 10 years of experience, faces the challenge of maintaining strong and consistent vocal quality so that the call to prayer remains clear and melodious five times a day. “I hope to continue enlivening the mosque with a heartfelt call to prayer that encourages Muslims to attend congregational prayers,” he said.
Dr Mai Mahirah Amir, 38, a dentist at The Dentist Hub Clinic with 13 years of experience, faces the challenge of ensuring patient satisfaction while maintaining consistent service quality. “I hope the public will be more aware of oral care, not just seeking treatment when in pain, for better dental health,” she said.
R. Muniswaran, a Malay language teacher with 16 years of experience, faces declining student interest and uses narrative approaches, multimedia and project-based learning to improve understanding. “I hope students will be more interested in learning Bahasa Melayu through creative and interactive approaches,” he said.
Muhamad Rasul Arupiah, a sanitation worker with two years of experience, faces the challenge of improperly segregated waste, which complicates collection and disposal processes. “I hope the public will take more responsibility in separating waste so that management work becomes easier, safer and more organised,” he said.
Wan Muhammad Syakir Wan Mahmud, police escort officer with eight years of experience, is responsible for ensuring smooth traffic flow and escorting VIP movements safely and on time. “I hope road users will be more alert and considerate when hearing sirens and always follow authorities’ instructions,” he said.
Noor Zahidah Mohamad Arif, a female mechanic at Arif Garaj Workshop in Sekinchan, faces physically demanding work while proving her capability in a male-dominated industry. “I hope more women will be brave enough to enter the mechanical field and continue improving their skills to provide the best service,” she said.
Roslan Ramli, 59, a bus driver with 22 years of experience, faces the challenge of ensuring passenger safety and punctual journeys. “I hope the public will appreciate public transport services and the role of drivers in ensuring safe travel,” he said.
Muhammad Danial Yusuf, 32, a barber at Danna Barbershop in Kuang, Selangor, has been in the field for 10 years and is now focusing on expanding his business in a more strategic and sustainable manner. “I want to continue improving my skills and creativity, build a strong reputation and expand my business to open more branches,” he said.
Mohd Fazeli Mohd Shafei, school guard at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya, has served for 25 years and faces heavy traffic congestion during school dismissal hours. “I hope road users will be more disciplined during peak school hours to ease traffic flow and ensure students’ safety,” he said.
