Street Sweeper Gets Awarded By Negeri Sembilan's Yang di-Pertuan Besar For Her Service
She has been serving the state for 17 years.
By Jia Vern Tham — 15 Jan 2019, 07:01 PM
60-year-old Chan Mun Thye had just retired from her job as a street sweeper on 4 January after 17 years of service.
10 days later, she stood in front of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan to receive an award for her work.
Chan Mun Thye received an award from Tuanku Muhriz Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Munawir.
Image via Sin Chew DailyIn conjunction with the 71st birthday celebrations of the Yang di-Pertuan Besar, Chan was conferred the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) for her service to the state.
"I was so touched, and at the same time, very happy," Chan was quoted as saying by New Straits Times outside the Istana Besar Seri Menanti yesterday, 14 January.
Chan's ceremony was also attended by Transport Minister Anthony Loke and State Housing, Local Government, and New Village Committee chairman Teo Kok Seong
Chan (centre) accompanied by Anthony Loke (left) and Teo Kok Seong (right) after the ceremony.
Image via New Straits TimesSin Chew Daily reported that Loke gave praise to street sweepers for their work following Chan's ceremony, and said that all Malaysians can contribute to the nation regardless of their jobs.
Meanwhile, Teo said that Chan's award was given as a mark of appreciation for street sweepers.
"This clearly proves that whatever one's job is, if it is clear that (one has) contributed to the state, then (one is) eligible for an award," Teo was quoted as saying by New Straits Times.
The mother of four, who joined the City Centre Road Sweeper Unit of SWM Environment Sdn Bhd (SWM) in 2002, revealed that she was recently asked for her photograph by her supervisor
"I gave it without suspicion because I thought it (the photograph) was for my retirement," the 60-year-old said, according to New Straits Times.
She received a letter notifying her of the Pingat Jasa Kebaktian award not long after that.
"I'm just a street sweeper, I never imagined that I could receive an award for that," Chan was quoted as saying by Sin Chew Daily.
Although she retired earlier this month, Chan has decided to continue her employment with SWM
Sin Chew Daily reported the 60-year-old as saying that she will continue working for SWM on a contract basis as she wants to serve the company for as long as she can.
"I will start working again after Chinese New Year... I like my work because it's not hard to ensure the cleanliness of a place," Chan said, according to New Straits Times.