MERSING: A local sweeper here who can speak multiple languages has shown that nothing can stop one’s desire for knowledge.

       For the past 12 years, Mohamad Azizi Bahudin has been working as an SWM Environment Sdn Bhd sweeper at the Mersing bus terminal.

       He also took the opportunity to learn new languages from foreign tourists coming from all over the world.

       He said that he started to learn to speak English about two years ago.

       “I was just curious. Sometimes when I’m sweeping the floor, I will hear tourists talk in all kinds of languages I have never heard before.

       “I wanted to know more. So, I would approach them and ask them in English if they could teach me some simple phrases in their own language.

       Communication skills: Mohamad Azizi showing the notebook he has been using to write notes of the languages he is learning.

       “They were delighted when I told them of my interest to learn their language.

       “They were happy to teach me and even wrote down notes for me,” he said when met at the bus terminal here.

       So far, Mohamad Azizi, 42, is able to converse in 11 foreign languages: French, German, Spanish, Russian, Dutch, Norwegian, Czech, Finnish, Ukrainian, Japanese and Thai.

       “I only know simple phrases for now, but it’s enough for me to have conversations with people who speak their own language.

       “The tourists are more comfortable when I speak to them in their mother tongue than in English.

       “I am still learning, but because of the Covid-19 pandemic that led to the closure of the borders, I have to wait a while more before I can meet tourists again to improve my language skills,” he said.

       The father of one also took the time to teach tourists Bahasa Malaysia.

       “Tourists are also curious about our culture and want to know more about our country and its people,” he said.

       “They are interested to learn our language, not just to help them to converse with Malaysians, but they want to get to know us better,” he added.

       Mohamad Aziz would teach the tourists a few phrases in Bahasa Malaysia and give them some pointers on the interesting places they could visit.

       He added that he is still in contact with most of the tourists on social media.

       He is also learning to speak Mandarin, Cantonese, Tamil and Bahasa Melayu Sarawak.

       “I love learning new languages as it allows me to get to know people better,” he added.

       SWM Environment corporate general manager Mohd Norlisam Nordin said the company is proud of Mohamad Azizi for his impressive talent.

       “For cleaning workers stationed at places frequented by foreign tourists, their role is not only to keep the area clean, but to also help visitors gain knowledge about our tourism attractions.

       “We are proud of Mohamad Aziz for his talent which is so beneficial not for him alone, but the community,” he said.