From editor to ‘fruit picker’ – now car dealer

Dear Diary,

Four years ago, Saiful Haizan Hasam went undercover as a fruit picker who was prepared to work illegally in Australia.

Despite the promise of riches, Saiful uncovered a ‘scam’ as he only earned A$110 for four days work but had to pay A$80 to rent a small home he shared with 11 other workers, most of whom were Malaysians. When his time was up, his ‘contractor’ only paid him A$20.

The story helped build momentum for the introduction of a modern slavery act in Australia which became law in 2018.

Saiful, an Utusan Malaysia news editor until he applied for the voluntary separation scheme in 2018, is now selling cars to make ends meet.

Asked about his new business venture, he replied: “It was time to start a new adventure. It may seem silly to go into this business as the economy is not good. But I can’t afford to wait. I miss the media but the industry is shrinking and many are losing their jobs.”

I befriended him during the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. He was hardworking and never afraid to ask the top officials questions.

I’m sure he will bring those ethics to his new career. Good luck Saiful.

Meanwhile, for live updates on what’s happening in the United States, click here.

Here’s how Day 79 of the Movement Control Order (MCO) unfolded.

7.13am: DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE – How does a child feel about Covid-19?

8.01am: ONLINE VIGIL – Hong Kong commemorates Tiananmen Square anniversary with ‘candles everywhere’.

9.04am: HEARTBREAKING – Mexico reports more than 1,000 Covid-19 deaths in a day for the first time.

10.14am: LOOKING FOR CARS? – If you are looking for Perodua, Proton or Honda cars, do contact Saiful Haizan on his mobile or on Facebook.

11am: I CAN RELATE

12.58pm: COME ON IN – China says foreign airlines blocked from operating in the country over Covid-19 fears will be allowed to resume limited flights, lifting a de facto ban on US carriers.

1.30pm JUMBO GRIEF – Many are grieving for the pregnant elephant which died after eating pineapples stuffed with firecrackers. Here’s an elephant celebrating its 57th birthday. Sadly, it’s in captivity.

Artaida the elephant celebrated turning 57 with a special ‘cake’ at Sofia zoo pic.twitter.com/0q74A6PomL

— Reuters (@Reuters) June 4, 2020

2pm: MASK SCAMS – Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says unscrupulous dealers have swindled about RM5.5 million in face mask sales scams during MCO. Police have arrested 181 people with 53 already charged in court.

He also urges unregistered childcare centres to register with the authorities.

Separately, he warns companies against forcing employees to undergo a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine after interstate travel. He warns action can be taken against the employers, especially those who deduct annual leave or categorise the self-quarantine as unpaid leave.

Meanwhile, in an interview for a documentary on the Movement Control Order (MCO), produced by Bernama TV, Ismail Sabri says there will be major changes in the policy of employing foreign workers and to curb the entry of illegal immigrants.

3.01pm: WATCH YOUR MOUTH – Who would have thought it would be so difficult to find parking at this hour? I think I have cursed more in the last three days of driving than I have for the whole of MCO!

4.14pm: DEPUTY MINISTER QUITS – Deputy Works Minister Datuk Shahruddin Md Salleh is the first MP from the three-month-old Perikatan Nasional government to quit the ruling alliance.

5pm: HIGHEST EVER – The number of cases surpasses 8,000 with 277 new infections – the highest ever number recorded in the country to date. The total now stands at 8,247. A total of 271 cases today involve foreign nationals – 270 from the Immigration Department’s Bukit Jalil detention centre and one from a construction site in Pudu. Another 28 patients are discharged, meaning 6,559 people have been cured. Fatalities remain at 115.

6.02pm: SO TRUE – I saw this photo some time last year but received it again. Given what’s going on in the United States, it’s a good reminder. Applies to Malaysia and the rest of the world.