By Olivia Miwil
KOTA KINABALU: A young boy emerged quietly from beneath a table when a market vendor called out for help carrying groceries.
Though only 12, Jack (not his real name) — small for his age and wearing a loose shirt — has worked in the central market here long enough to understand its daily rhythm.
He kept his gaze on the concrete floor as he followed the stranger through the morning bustle. His fee depends on a customer's generosity, though it rarely falls below RM2 per job, regardless of the load.
"On average, I earn around RM30 a day, working from 3am to 5pm," he said.
His father also takes on odd jobs in the city.
Jack lives on Gaya Island, a 10-minute boat ride from the mainland. The return trip on a small passenger boat costs RM6, a necessary daily expense.
He eats twice most days: once at the market and again at home.
From his daily earnings, RM5 goes towards a smartphone purchased on instalment that he shares with his four siblings.
Jack is the third child in the family. His eldest brother, 15, helps with odd jobs closer to home while the youngest is 2 years old.
Jack is one of about 20 children aged between 8 and 12 working a similar job at the market.
"Thus, I don't feel alone," he said.
The work is backbreaking and fraught with hidden dangers.
"We have to be careful of certain adults who will try to extort money from us."
Unlike others in more touristy areas, Jack and his friends do not beg.
"We carry things. We work."
There was a time when the authorities brought Jack to a community centre, where he learnt about responsibility and earning an honest living.
"I know the authorities won't be too happy if they caught us sniffing glue, fighting in the streets or causing trouble," he said.
Asked about health, Jack said he missed the Covid-19 vaccination programme because he was working.
"I'm not sure if I've received any other vaccinations," he added. "When I'm sick, I just rest at home."
He has no official documents to stay in Malaysia, though he speaks fluent Bahasa Melayu and can read and do basic maths.
Asked about school, he said: "Maybe one day, I'll have the chance to study like other children."
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