B2 Paragames Chess Pride

Sunday May 8, 2011

Blind clerk is country’s best disabled employee

By JOSHUA FOONG
joshuafoong@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: When he first started work at Bank Pembangunan as a clerk almost 20 years ago, visually impaired Mahadzir Derani Abdul Ghani did not have the slightest clue that he would be honoured nationally for his work one day.

Beaming with pride, the 40-year-old received the national award for being the country's best disabled employee in conjunction with the national-level Worker's Day celebration yesterday.

“I can see only lights and colours. Everything is blurry, but the sense of achievement is overwhelming,” an elated Mahadzir said after receiving the award from Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at Putra Stadium in Bukit Jalil.

“I am thankful that my employers nominated me for this recognition. I am motivated to continue giving my best,” he said, hoping that this would inspire other disabled people to do their best.

When asked how he had overcome difficulties at work, Mahadzir said it was “all about overcoming challenges and never giving up.”

Exemplary worker: Mahadzir showing the certificate that he received from Muhyiddin at the Worker’s Day celebration at Putra Stadium in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.

His colleague, Nurul Anuar Noordin, who guided him on stage to receive the award said besides Mahadzir's hard work, he also brought glory to the bank with his involvement in competitive chess.

“He was a silver medallist in the 2009 Asean Games in Laos. This goes to show that he is an extraordinary person,” Nurul said.

Mahadzir, along with Telekom Malaysia assistant manager Pawziah Yunos and its marketing officer Abdul Aziz Shawab, won RM5,000 each for bagging the best employee award for the disabled, executive and non-executive categories respectively. They also received a certificate and trophy each.

The awards, given by the Human Resources Ministry, were open to private sector employees.

While CIMB Group Holdings Bhd and Bridgestone Chemical (M) Sdn Bhdwere recognised for taking care of their employees' welfare, Panasonic HA Air Conditioning (M) Sdn Bhd and Vitrox Corporation Bhd were recognised as the country's most competitive firms.