While most 19-year-olds are still unsure about their future, one teen decided to roll up his sleeves and take on one of the toughest jobs, cleaning drains with Alam Flora’s special unit.
And he didn’t do it just for the money. He did it to walk the same path his father once did.
“I didn’t have any plans after SPM”
For Muhammad Zamri bin Zaidi Nizam, everything started after finishing SPM.
In a video posted by Alam Flora on TikTok, the 19-year-old shared that he had no clear direction at the time.
I joined Alam Flora when I was 18, just after Hari Raya in June. At that time, I didn’t have any concrete plans, no work, no studies,” he said.
That’s when his father, who works at Alam Flora as a driver, stepped in and suggested he give it a try.
A leap into the unknown
Zamri took the offer without knowing what to expect. And on his first day, reality hit hard.
I didn’t know what to do. Everyone was moving so fast, going here and there. I just stood there like a lamp post, unsure who to help because they were all so quick,” he recalled.
While he wasn’t thrown into the deep end right away, he started by helping with basic tasks like pulling hoses and opening drain covers. But tougher challenges were just around the corner.
Into the darkness, literally
Eventually, Zamri was tasked with entering the narrow, dark drains that most people wouldn’t even dare to look into.
The drains were so tight and cramped. There was hardly any light, and it was noisy inside. Breathing and moving around were tough. That was the moment I thought, ‘Wow, this is really challenging.’”
Still, he kept going, determined to adapt and do his best.
Not everyone understood his choice
As with many unconventional career paths, Zamri’s decision raised some eyebrows especially among his friends.
They were shocked and thought it was weird that I chose Alam Flora. But for me, it’s not an issue. Even though the job is heavy, it’s doable,” he said.
He even found an unexpected benefit: the physical work made him feel fitter and more energised.
“Alhamdulillah, I feel more active now. My body feels lighter because we do a lot of physical work.”
A message for other youths
Despite the challenges, Zamri remains proud of his job and hopes to inspire others to be the same.
For me and other youth out there, don’t judge a job just by how it looks. You won’t know until you try it yourself,” he said.
“Don’t do something just based on what others say. Do it for yourself. If people think young people can’t handle tough work, I’ll prove that we can.”
Watch the full video here:
