SERI KEMBANGAN: Aisy Anaqi Abdul Rahim, 24, faces criticism for pursuing higher education only to end up as a p-hailing rider.
"Some say it's a waste for me to study hard, but in the end, I became a p-hailing rider.
"Let them say what they want; what's important is that I'm working hard. Perhaps it's just not my luck yet to secure a permanent job."
That's what Aisy said, as he does not shy away from any job and is willing to earn a living as a p-hailing rider, even though he holds a Bachelor's degree in Biodiversity Ecology from Universiti Malaya (UM).
His results were quite excellent, having graduated with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.66.
According to Aisy, it's not that he doesn't want a stable permanent job, but he hasn't had the fortune to find such an opportunity yet.
"I started this job four years ago, initially part-time. After my online classes, I would go straight to work. However, I have been doing this full-time for the past year.
"In fact, I have also applied for other jobs and attended interviews, but I still haven't had the luck to secure a permanent position," he said when contacted by Harian Metro.
As the youngest of four siblings, Aisy had taken on various jobs since his secondary school days to earn extra pocket money.
This experience has somewhat equipped him for the challenges of being a delivery rider, even though they differ significantly.
"My first job was as a sales assistant when I was in Form Four, and I also worked in a hotel to earn some cash, as I don't come from a wealthy family.
"Challenges are inevitable, especially when I first started as a p-hailing rider, as I didn't have my own vehicle and had to borrow my brother's motorcycle," he said.
He also faced difficulties such as being yelled at by customers for late deliveries and even suffered an accident that resulted in a broken collarbone, requiring hospital treatment.
"There were moments when I considered quitting, but I didn't because this is the only job I have right now," he said, adding that he can earn up to RM3,000 a month, depending on the circumstances.
For now, Aisy plans to continue as a delivery rider while actively seeking a job that aligns better with his qualifications.
"I believe that Allah SWT has determined my sustenance, so I will keep striving; prayers alone are not enough.
"Recently, several individuals reached out to me on TikTok, asking for my resume after seeing my posts, offering to help.
"I am grateful for their support. If I meet the criteria set by employers out there, Insya-Allah, I will find a suitable job one day," he said.