Blindness not a deterrent

What say you on the issue below?

ALTHOUGH Nordin Hanafiah was born blind, he never let his condition be an obstacle to doing what he loves most — composing music.

That was why when an opportunity came up for him to compose the Penang Municipal Council’s first official song, he took it up as a challenge to give his best.

For his effort, the Penang Munici-pal Council (MPPP) management services officer, who has been with the council for 20 years, produced the song titled ‘Mem-bina Bandar Impian’ (Building a City of Dreams) which was performed at the council’s Excellent Service Award 2011 presentation ceremony at the Town Hall building.

Nordin, who was among the 20 MPPP choir members who rendered the song, said it took him 10 days to work on the song.

Nordin showing off his excellent service award certificate at the Town Hall in Esplanad

His passion for music had also inspired the 48-year-old to master the guitar, piano and the saxophone.

Nordin together with senior administrative assistant Mahalley Abd Wahab, 55, who was the choir manager, received a special appreciation at the ceremony yesterday.

Mahalley, who has been with the council for the past 33 years, wrote the song’s lyrics.

Excellent Service award recipient S.R. Santhee, 49, who had joined the council as an office assistant in 1981 before being transferred to the Treasury Department in 1995, received the award for the second time.

“The first time I received it was in 2005.

“After having served as an office assistant, I was transferred to the Treasury as a typist before being upgraded to a clerk’s position in 2001,” she said.

Santhee was re-assigned to the council’s Secretariat last year.

Public Relations Department clerk Sabariah Jaafar, 37, was also a second time award recipient, after having received the first award in 2001.

“Receiving the award has motivated me to do better for the people,” she said, adding that she had joined the council in 1997.

Both Santhee and Sabariah were among 175 council staff members who received the award.

Each of them received RM1,000, certificates of appreciation and opportunity to be selected for future seminars and workshops.

Council president Patahiyah Ismail said the award recipients were selected based on their excellent work performance.