IPOH – Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah today praised teacher Ismail Mohd Zain for cleaning up Sg Balun in Tg Malim of his own accord.
The ruler said the SK Felda Besout 1 educator’s voluntary work will help prevent flooding, and preserve the habitat of various species of aquatic life.
"I express my appreciation for the noble effort that you have shown,” he said in a letter of appreciation to Ismail.
Sultan Nazrin said Ismail is setting a good example, and that his actions should be emulated by teachers and students nationwide.
“May Allah accept this noble effort as a good deed, with rewards in this world and the hereafter.”
Ismail told Bernama he is touched by Sultan Nazrin’s acknowledgment of his effort.
“I don’t know how to describe my feelings, because the things I do (cleaning up the river) can be considered small, but it’s getting the attention of various parties, including the media.
“I received a call from the palace today, informing me that a letter of appreciation from the Perak sultan was mailed to the school yesterday.”
Environment and Water Minister Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, too, expressed his appreciation for Ismail, in a Facebook post yesterday.
Ismail, a 40-year-old father of two from Felda Trolak, Tg Malim, said he has been cleaning up Sg Balun, which is just 30m from his home, since last year.
“What I’m doing is just a small contribution towards preserving the environment. It does not require capital and does not take a lot of time.” – Bernama, February 17, 2021