“Being in the logistics sector meant long hours, weeks away from home. It made me rethink my priorities, especially after starting a family more than 20 years ago. I didn’t want to miss my children growing up,” shared Moses.
Driven by his desire to be more present for his wife and children, Moses made a bold decision to trade in his high-paying job for a more humble but meaningful role in the public hygiene sector, joining his wife, S. Tanggam, who had been working as a street sweeper for over two decades.
With his years of driving experience, Moses took on various roles at SWM Environment, a waste management concessionaire. From operating trash compactor trucks to his current role driving a 15-tonne roll-on roll-off lorry, Moses is now responsible for managing market waste and assisting in bulk waste collection around the Kota Tinggi area.
“It wasn’t always easy. There were days of frustration, especially seeing how some people still lack basic hygiene awareness. But I have no regrets. I chose to be with my family, and that is priceless,” he said.
Tanggam, 48, who has been sweeping the streets for 23 years, shared that convincing her husband to change jobs wasn’t hard. “I knew his heart. He’s always been family-oriented. I just reminded him what matters most and thankfully, he agreed,” she smiled.
Today, two of their children are working, while the youngest is still in school. Their mornings begin at 6.30am, taking turns preparing their children before they head out for work. While Moses begins his waste collection route, Tanggam ensures the commercial areas of Taman Kota Jaya and Kota Besar stay clean.
Despite the challenges, both Moses and Tanggam carry their work with pride knowing their efforts keep the community clean, safe, and sustainable. But they do admit to occasional frustrations.
“It’s disheartening when people carelessly throw rubbish from their cars, even when bins are nearby,” Tanggam shared. “But we keep going, because someone has to care.”
Their dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. In conjunction with Global Cleaner’s Day, celebrated every June 17, the couple’s long service was recognised by SWM Environment.
“Sanitation workers like Moses and Tanggam are the unsung heroes of our communities,” said SWM Environment’s corporate general manager, Mohd Norlisam Mohd Nordin. “We celebrate them not just for their hard work but for their essential role in protecting public health and promoting sustainability.”
For Moses and Tanggam, the journey has never been about titles or paychecks, but about family, dignity, and service.
“I may no longer drive across states,” Moses reflected, “but every day, I come home to my family and that’s the journey that matters most.”
Source / Image Credit : The Star