KOTA KINABALU – Ansari Ambrose Angkangon is among the many who lost their jobs when Covid-19 dealt a massive blow to the tourism sector.
The 33-year-old found himself unemployed when travel restrictions were imposed to curb the spread of the disease in March.
To put food on the table, he made quite a career switch – from being a licensed tourist guide to a grass cutter.
The family breadwinner, who has a 2-year-old daughter, said he is willing to take up any legal job to provide for his household.
Ansari said he got the idea of charging people for his grass-cutting service when a neighbour, seeing his grass-cutting machine, asked for help clearing the lawn.
“It was during the MCO (movement control order) in March. He (neighbour) paid me to clear his lawn.
“It struck me then that there might be demand in the area for a grass-cutting service. I used my assistance money (from the federal government) to buy a new machine and started posting about the service I’m offering on Facebook.
“The response was not bad. There was high demand. To date, I have invested about RM3,000 in grass-cutting equipment.”
He charges between RM15 and RM100 depending on the size of the area he needs to work on, saying the income is just enough for his family to get by.
Ansari said he sold fruits and vegetables in June, but stopped as there was no profit.
“I do wish to return to work as a tourist guide. I hope this Covid-19 situation will pass soon.
“Even during the current conditional MCO, my grass-cutting business is affected. People fear the virus, and they are staying home and avoiding seeing others (workers).”
He invited his friends, who also lost their jobs as tourist guides, to join his business, but the work proved too laborious, and they quit after just one day.
“They could not stand it. It is hard work, but with low pay. But, I am doing this with my family in mind. I must ensure that we survive this phase.”
Tourism, which was the largest contributor to Sabah’s gross domestic product before the virus crisis, has become the worst-affected sector in the state.
An Institute of Development Studies Sabah survey found that 26% of workers in the tourism industry lost their jobs in March following the travel ban. – The Vibes, October 13, 2020
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