PETALING JAYA: Food delivery riders were a godsend during the recent pandemic-induced lockdowns, catering to the needs of hungry, homebound Malaysians. And, even as the country enters the endemic phase, they continue to be the unsung heroes of the community.
As Muslims around the world celebrate Aidilfitri, delivery riders, too, are no doubt spending the festive season with their families and friends after a month of fasting and preparation.
Still, they would have been working hard – despite not being able to consume food or water from dawn to dusk – to make their deliveries, through rain or shine, across the holy month leading up to this week. What must that experience have been like?
FMT spoke to two delivery riders to get their insights.
‘All in the same boat’
Muhammad Shafiq Shahruddin has been a Grab rider for close to six months. The 28-year-old from Shah Alam works at a freight-forwarding company during the day, and decided to be a food delivery rider to supplement his primary income.
“The hours are flexible and don’t interfere with my full-time job,” he explained, adding that he covers the Shah Alam and Subang Jaya areas.
Prior to Ramadan, Shafiq typically made his deliveries at least 20 days a week, including on weekends. During the fasting month, however, he reduced his working hours to only three or four weeknights.
He would start at 5.30pm after clocking out of his full-time job and work until 10pm, with a short rest in between to break his fast.
“If I broke fast with my wife, I would start later at 8pm and work until 11 or 11.30pm,” he said, adding that he aimed to earn at least RM50 a night.
While Shafiq admitted to feeling tired with such a schedule, “when I got on my motorcycle, I focused on the income I would earn from each job, and the sense of exhaustion would vanish”.
He recalled a particularly memorable experience during the holy month. “It was about 11.20pm and I had just completed my last job. On my way home, my motorcycle ran out of petrol.
“Another food delivery rider who was passing by stopped and helped me to push my bike to a nearby petrol station. I offered to pay for his fuel, but he declined,” he shared.
“For me, even though we go through tests in life, it can turn out to be a good experience. In this case, I met someone who decided to help me even though he didn’t have to.”
He observes a sense of camaraderie that exists within the community of food delivery riders. “I believe it’s because we are all in the same boat trying to make a living.”
For Aidilfitri, he is celebrating with his and his wife’s families in Tanjung Karang in Selangor, and Pahang, respectively.
“I hope we will have a smooth journey when we travel,” he told FMT recently, “and I can’t wait to meet my family members, especially my nephews and nieces.”
‘A simple thank you’
Rosle Abdul Jalil has been a full-time food delivery rider with Foodpanda for three years, covering the Klang area.
“It’s a different experience from being employed and I enjoy the time flexibility it provides,” the 26-year-old said.
Before the fasting month, he would work in two shifts: the first from 8am to 2pm, then from 5pm to 10pm or 11pm, with a break in between.
He would work five to six days a week, and sometimes even go the entire week without a day off.
“During Ramadan, I started my first shift later at 11am and ended at 2pm. After taking a break, my second shift would start from 5pm until 9pm or 10pm, and I did this daily,” he said.
Being on his motorcycle for long periods does take its toll. “It was especially exhausting during the fasting month and the weather was hot. It would get even more tiring if customers did not provide the accurate address, and I would have to call them to get the exact location sent to me.”
But regardless of the challenges, he continues to deliver – motivated by the fact that he has a baby on the way. “My wife is six months pregnant!” he told FMT proudly.
So, what was his experience of working during the fasting month like? He had already expected to earn less during this period, especially when it came to tips, which “depends on the customer – it could be RM1, RM2, or RM3”.
Still, there is something about the job that makes him feel good.
“When a customer says ‘thank you’, I feel appreciated. Even on occasions when a customer accidentally pays me less than the actual amount, as long as they say thanks, it makes things better for me,” he said.
This week, after having spent long hours on his motorcycle, Rosle gets to take a break and, thankfully, doesn’t have to travel far.
“My mother is away in Mecca, so I am celebrating with my wife’s family who are also from Klang,” he added happily.
Lumi News recently introduced a News Stacks feature, compiling must-read articles from FMT and other publications.
Motor Takaful has been growing in popularity because of its quick, efficient, and seamless processes.
Now you can vacuum and mop your floors at one go, reducing the time you have to spend cleaning your home.
Transepithelial Photorefractive Keratectomy is the only surface laser treatment that doesn’t require physical contact with the eye.
MAHB hopes to create a safe, seamless, more efficient way for travellers entering the country.
