Malaysian man honours father who worked as cleaner for 25 years: 'Never been ashamed of his job'

A Malaysian man has paid tribute to his father, who worked as a cleaner for over two decades, saying he has never been ashamed of his father's job and is instead proud of the work he does.

Mohamad Zulfithri, 25, an executive officer at a ministry, drew attention online after sharing a convocation photo with his parents, Hasmawati Abdul Hamid, 50, and Mohd Johari Shafie, 51, on TikTok, the New Straits Times (NST) reported on Thursday (Aug 20).

In the post, he expressed his gratitude to his father on his birthday and credited his hard work as a cleaning staff member at the Gunung Semanggol Rest and Service Area (R&R) in Perak for helping him achieve his success.

Mohamad Zulfithri also wrote that he had never felt ashamed of his father's occupation and was proud of him.

"Maybe Dad's job is not one that people look up to, but I have never been ashamed of his job. Never. In fact, I am proud," he wrote in the caption.

His father has worked at the R&R for 25 years and continues to earn a living there, NST reported.

He also took on side jobs, including repairing motorcycle tyres, to supplement the family's income.

"In the past, he collected aluminium cans and even took salary advances to support our family. Bringing me to his workplace and watching him clean the R&R are unforgettable memories for me," he told the Malaysian news outlet Harian Metro.

The New Media Communications graduate from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) described his father as a quiet but firm parent whose advice motivated him to excel academically.

"My father always told me to study hard because he and my mother did not have the opportunity to do so. Those words drove me forward, especially as the eldest child and the family's main hope," he said.

During his university years, Mohamad Zulfithri served as president of the Student Representative Council (MPP), a role that allowed him to travel to Turkiye and South Korea.

At his convocation on Nov 25 last year, he received a leadership award on stage, a moment he cherished for bringing pride to his parents.

"Never be ashamed of your parents’ jobs. Every job is noble if it is beneficial and provides an honest income," he was quoted as saying by Harian Metro..

He hopes to provide greater comfort for his family and eventually take his parents to perform the pilgrimage in Mecca.

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