By Olivia Miwil - January 18, 2021 @ 12:01pm
PENAMPANG: While most people prefer to stay home due to the severe floods, this was not the case for delivery rider Abdullah Salam Yahya.
Wading through floodwaters, the 39-year-old former air force personnel said he felt it was his responsibility to continue working despite the challenging situation and understood that there were people in need of his services.
"Before this, I used to wade through floodwaters doing deliveries, but this time, it is worse.
"Many riders, especially the new ones, would not want to make any deliveries in such situation," he told the New Straits Times.
He said yesterday, he started his 12-hour work at 8.20am when the district was already inundated.
It is learned that some areas, apart from being flooded, also experienced power and water supply disruptions.
The trick to make it all work, Abdullah said, was to ensure that no water entered the motorcycle exhaust system by adjusting its position away from the water.
"My hometown in Semporna is surrounded by the sea, so floodwater does not terrify me.
"But, of course, I have to navigate the water using common sense and do the necessary.
"I also need to ensure my customers knew that there will be delays as I might need to turn off the motorcycle engine and walk, or take a different route depending on condition," said the man who has been a rider for a year.
Abdullah added that depending on the tier-level, riders are insured by the company should anything happen to them.
"We get our salary and incentives on a daily basis, depending on the distance and time of deliveries.
"Today, I managed to get RM195 for 24 deliveries," he said.
As of 8am, 673 people from 186 villages in nine districts are still seeking shelter at 15 temporary relief centres.
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