Malaysia Day: Historic night for father-and-son trishaw riders

By Rashidah Abd Rahim

MELAKA, Sept 16 (Bernama) -- Veteran trishaw rider Rosli Mad Zin, 63, has had the experience of ferrying many dignitaries but this year's Malaysia Day celebration is even more special and exciting for him as his special passenger was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

The 600-metre ride in his traditional trishaw was from the Hatten Hotel to the Independence Declaration Memorial Square. His son, Maslizuwan, 29, was also among the other trishaw riders.

Rosli said this was also the first time that he partnered with his son to carry the country's leaders to the same historic event, and even more special was being given the responsibility to lead 15 traditional trishaws ferrying the other dignitaries to the event.

“Although the ride is only about 600m, it was very meaningful and I am very excited to be given the opportunity to be involved in the country's historic day this year. Tonight's experience is very different even though I have previously carried national leaders many times in my trishaw over the course of 30 years.

“Due to this feeling of excitement, I also wore 1960s-era clothing; a plaid shirt over a white pagoda T-shirt, slacks and shoes in line with the concept of tonight's celebration. It sure felt that I was in that era,” he told Bernama.

Meanwhile, Maslizuwan said he did not expect that after 10 years of working hard to earn a living by riding a trishaw around Banda Hilir, he would finally have the opportunity to ferry Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali's wife Datin Seri Munira M. Yusop in his father's 30-year-old traditional trishaw.

“I feel proud and lucky to be given the opportunity together with my father to carry the country's leaders on this historic day, the celebration of which was held in Melaka for the first time.

“I was a bit nervous, but the advice and guidance from my father gave me some encouragement and confidence,” he added.

Meanwhile, Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, arrived at the venue in an electric trishaw, an innovative product of researchers from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).

The e-trishaw that uses solar energy was decorated with a Melaka palace-themed roof, flashing colourful lights, and was in a classic colour to highlight the identity of the traditional Melaka trishaw.

The trishaw carrying Mohd Ali was operated by a member of the UTeM e-Beca Group who is also UTeM assistant engineer Mohd Fadhil Ibrahim.

-- BERNAMA