“To lead a normal human life, having sufficient food and clothes are enough. There’s no necessity for a luxurious lifestyle.”
These words were uttered by Azhar Ibrahim, 36, who is visually impaired. Azhar owns a motorcycle workshop right below his house in Kampung Batu Enam, Tanjung Tualang, Batu Gajah. Income generated from his makeshift workshop enables him to support his family of six.
When it comes to motorcycles the guy is all ears, as he is so passionate about his profession. His love for the two-wheeler has transformed him into a mechanic of some reckoning. He has been tinkering with the machine since 2008.
Azhar is blessed with an extraordinary gift. He is able to identify problems affecting a motorcycle by simply listening to the engine’s sounds. He has honed this extraordinary skill since he was a 7-year-old kid.
“Maybe, it’s a God-given gift stemming from my deep love for the two-wheeler,” he told Ipoh Echo when met at his workshop recently. He earns around RM800 a month. “I’m grateful to the Almighty for giving me this talent,” he added.
Deputy Minister of Human Resources, Datuk Mahfuz Omar visited him at his workshop early last month. Present was Sivanesan Achalingam, Executive Councillor for Civil Society, Consumer Affairs, National Integration, Human Resources and Health who presented the blind mechanic a donation of RM5000.
Although Azhar was born blind, his other senses are perfect. Thus he is able to earn a living like any able-bodied guy.
Azhar is thankful to the state government for financial support to upgrade his workshop. He felt indebted for the empathy.
Luqman Hakim
