KOTA TINGGI: A simple “thank you” card from two siblings here have warmed the hearts of a team of waste collectors who were caught off-guard by their gesture.

       Ramlan Abu, who has been working as a waste collector for almost two decades said it was the sweetest form of gratitude he had ever received.

       “I was collecting rubbish from the bins at the back of the sibling’s house when they called me.

       “By then, my team and I had gotten used to their friendly faces as they would always wave and say ‘Hi’ to us whenever we drop by.

       “The two siblings, who were with their mother, handed me a handwritten thank you card with Hari Raya wishes as it was also during the festive season back then. I was overwhelmed by the gesture, as were my colleagues,” he told The Star.

       Ramlan, 47, said the siblings later continued giving cards from time to time, including Labour Day.

       “I wasn’t expecting more cards. The first card alone was more than enough to motivate us. They even gave us a toy truck and a hat.

       “We put up those cards on the front window of our compactor lorry so that the siblings can see it when we pass by and know that we truly appreciate those cards,” he said.

       The two siblings, four-year-old Muhammad Naufal Nur Azlan and seven-year-old Nurmaisarah Nur Azlan had developed the habit of giving “thank you” cards to people around them, including doctors, security officers and cleaners.

       Their mother, teacher Anne Suraya Abd Halim, 38, said that her daughter picked up the habit last year after watching online videos of children in other countries doing so to show their appreciation.

       “My daughter started writing the notes last year and the first ‘thank you’ card she wrote was to a doctor in a clinic nearby who treated her when she had stomach ache.

       “She enjoys doing it and the people she gave the cards to were often surprised by the gesture as it is not a common habit in our country. My son has also picked up the habit from his sister.

       “As a mother, I am supportive of this as it is a good way to show appreciation.”

       She added that it is important to respect and show appreciation for the unsung heroes who have kept our surroundings clean.

       “We should not be looking at those involved in cleaning and waste collection differently. They are the ones who keep our surroundings clean and deserve to be respected and appreciated for their hard work,” she said.

       To thank Muhammad Naufal and Nurmaisarah for their support, SWM Environment Sdn Bhd (SWM Environment) gave the siblings a ride-along opportunity on a waste compactor lorry.

       SWM corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin said that the siblings’ support was meaningful and motivated their workers to give their best.

       “Appreciation from the public, especially children, towards our frontliners is a positive development and boosts motivation.”