Behind one Malaysian graduate’s convocation photo was a father who had spent years quietly working hard to keep his family going.
For 25-year-old Mohamad Zulfithri Mohd Johari, his father’s job was never something he felt the need to hide.
Instead, he has always been proud to tell people that his father, Mohd Johari Shafie, 51, earns a living as a cleaner.
Since I was young until now, I have never felt ashamed. In fact, I’m proud to tell people about my father’s job because it is an honourable one,” he told Harian Metro.
Zulfithri recently gained attention after sharing a TikTok post featuring photos from his graduation with his parents, Hasmawati Abdul Hamid, 50.
The post, which was also a birthday tribute to his father, was his way of thanking him for everything he had sacrificed to raise the family.
Dad has worked as a cleaner for 25 years
Zulfithri told the Malay daily that much of what he has achieved today would not have been possible without his father’s hard work.
Mohd Johari has spent the past 25 years working as a cleaner at the Gunung Semanggol Rest and Service Area in Perak, and continues to work there today.
This is also confirmed by USIM, which previously highlighted Zulfithri’s journey and his family background.
But his father did not rely on just one job.
To earn extra money for the family, he also took on side jobs changing motorcycle tyres.
Zulfithri recalled that his father used to collect aluminium cans for extra income and even requested salary advances from his employer when the family needed money.
One of the memories that stayed with him was being brought to his father’s workplace as a child and watching him clean the R&R.
‘Study hard because your parents couldn’t’
Zulfithri described his father as a quiet but firm man when it came to raising his children.
One piece of advice in particular stayed with him throughout his education.
His father told him to study hard because both his parents never had the same opportunity.
As the eldest child, Zulfithri knew his family had placed their hopes on him.
Although he felt he did not have many achievements to make his parents proud during his school years, things changed when he entered Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM).
He later served as president of the university’s Students’ Representative Council and was given opportunities to travel to countries including Türkiye and South Korea.
According to USIM, Zulfithri graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in New Media Communication with Honours and received a leadership award during the university’s 23rd convocation.
For Zulfithri, being able to walk across the stage and receive the award while his parents watched was particularly meaningful.
He said seeing his mother and father smile that day made him happy.
Now working as an executive officer
Zulfithri has since entered the working world and currently serves as an executive officer under the Ministry of Higher Education, according to the ministry’s official directory.
And now that he is earning his own income, he hopes it is finally his turn to give something back to his parents.
Zulfithri said his father has only ever owned a motorcycle.
After starting work, Zulfithri managed to purchase a car and is grateful that he can now take his parents out comfortably in it.
His bigger dream is to provide an even more comfortable life for his family and, if he has the opportunity one day, bring his parents to the Holy Land.
For now, however, he is thankful that his family has enough despite not living a luxurious life.
‘Never be ashamed of your parents’ jobs’
Looking back at his journey, Zulfithri hopes his story will encourage others to appreciate what their parents do for them, regardless of their occupation.
He reminded people never to feel embarrassed by how their mother or father earns a living, as long as the work is honest and beneficial.
For Zulfithri, his father being a cleaner was never something that made him feel lesser.
It was the same job, along with years of sacrifice and hard work, that helped his son make it all the way to university.
