“My name’s Amir Khan, but my IC name is Amir Gan B. Abdullah. I was formerly known as Gan Eie Seng.”

“I was knocked down by a vehicle but even after two operations, I couldn’t walk without crutches. My eyes also has cataracts, which is why I carry this whistle in my pocket – to warn drivers when I am crossing the road.

“I move around now, and this green bag is where I store the food that people sometimes give me”.

(At this point the photographer gives RM50, meant for the DBKL bill, to Amir. Clasping the photographer’s hands, he said:)

“God bless you and many happy returns of the day.”

– Story contributed by Alexandra Wong (author of Made In Malaysia). 

Humans of Kuala Lumpur

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on September 19th 2015)

“11 years ago, he lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident…”

11 years ago, he lost his left leg in a motorcycle accident.

Yet, brother Shuaib still sells Ramli burger beside the train station with his motorcycle-turned-kitchenette. 

I asked him, “And you’re still not afraid of riding?”, to which he replied “That’s life, and the risk, of riding a bike. And we just have to move on”. 

I order a beef burger with cheese, and tells him I’m still taking my motorcycle driving lessons. He continues, “You know, my other friends and me (who are disabled), even with our predicaments we still ride on with our bikes – we are not scared for something that can and most usually happens”. 

“Even if we drive safely, it could be another careless car driver who hits us”.

Shuaib sells burgers late night until the trains stop running, and then moves to another part of the city to cater to hungry people right till 5 in the morning. By this time I finish my burger, I thank him, and he wishes me for the best in my driving examinations.

Photostory by Mushamir Mustafa

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(This post was first published on December 31th 2012)