KUALA LUMPUR – Amidst the rhythmic scraping of ice and the aromatic scent of palm sugar at the Taman Wawasan Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar, one trader moves with a precision that belies a quiet struggle. Zulhairie Muda, 37, has become a local symbol of defiance against fate, serving up bowls of the beloved Malaysian dessert, cendol, with only his left hand.
Fifteen years ago, Zulhairie’s world was upended in an instant. A devastating motorcycle accident left the nerves in his right arm permanently severed. The loss of his dominant limb wasn’t just a physical blow; it was a psychological one that derailed his youth. For nearly a decade, the vibrant young man withdrew from the world, trapped in a cycle of depression and the feeling that he was no longer a “productive” member of society.
“The hardest part wasn’t the pain from the crash,” Zulhairie recalls. “It was the ten years of isolation afterward. I felt stuck at home, watching the world move on while I stayed still.”
The journey from a secluded room to a bustling marketplace was not overnight. For years, Zulhairie struggled with the stigma—both internal and external—of being a Person with Disabilities (PwD). It was the unwavering support of his family that eventually acted as the catalyst for change. They encouraged him to stop looking at what was lost and start focusing on what remained: a sharp mind and a capable left hand.
Determined to achieve financial independence, Zulhairie chose a path that many would find daunting for a one-handed operator. Selling cendol requires coordination: steadying a bowl, shaving ice, layering syrups, and managing rapid-fire transactions during the peak hours of a Ramadan bazaar.
Relearning basic motor skills was a grueling process of trial and error. Zulhairie spent months retraining his brain to compensate for his right arm’s immobility.
- Ice Shaving: He adapted his technique to ensure the ice was fine and fluffy using only his left arm for leverage.
- Speed and Efficiency: Today, his movements are so fluid and synchronized that most customers queuing for a cold drink don’t even realize he is disabled.
- Customer Interaction: He handles cash and change with a dexterity that rivals any seasoned merchant, proving that speed is a matter of practice, not just physiology.
Zulhairie’s presence at the Rahmah Ramadan Bazaar serves a dual purpose. While he is there to earn a living, he is also there to deliver a message. By operating in a high-pressure, public environment, he hopes to shatter the misconceptions surrounding PwDs in the workforce.
“I want other PwDs to see that the door isn’t locked; you just have to be the one to push it open,” he says. “The first step out of the house is always the most terrifying, but once you take it, you realize that your potential is not limited by your physical condition.”
As the call to prayer echoes across Mersing, signaling the end of the day’s fast, Zulhairie remains busy, his left hand moving tirelessly. His story is a poignant reminder that while an accident can change the course of a life, it is the spirit of the individual that decides where that course leads.
