At an oleochemical plant in Penang, Zakri served as a manager trusted to oversee hundreds of workers and complex operations. But behind the plant’s shining exterior lay a rotten core — dishonest practices, rampant bribery, and safety reports falsified to hide the truth. The plant’s design failed to meet industry standards, and accidents became a grim routine, as if workers’ lives were nothing more than numbers on paper.
Zakri was a man of integrity, holding firmly to his principles. Day after day, the pressure crushed him. Each time he spoke up, his voice was drowned out by the interests of those above him. Nights became sleepless, and days were haunted by guilt. Eventually, his body and mind could bear no more. One morning, he handed in his resignation — effective immediately.
That decision, however, marked the beginning of a nightmare. The company accused him of breaching his contract and slapped him with a hefty lawsuit. Zakri was forced to sell his home, built through years of hard work, to settle the claim. The wound was still fresh when another lawsuit came — this time, for one million ringgit. But this time, the court ruled in his favor, declaring the company had no legal ground.
Still, victory on paper did little to heal the mind. Depression consumed Zakri’s days. The world seemed grey; time passed without meaning. He carried his pain in silence, choosing to endure it alone. Then one afternoon, at a small park near his rented home, Zakri watched children playing football. Their laughter stirred something inside him — a quiet reminder that life could still hold color.
He began searching for a cure. Every morning, his feet found the jogging track. His tired body slowly regained energy. Zakri joined archery classes, swimming, and cycling groups. Healthy activities became his therapy. Along the way, he met new friends — honest and uplifting — far from the toxic corruption that once suffocated him.
Four years passed. Zakri stood tall once more — no longer a victim, but a fighter. The scars remained, but now they marked his strength, not his defeat. He returned to the working world, this time choosing a company built on integrity. His principle was unshakable: blessed earnings come from honesty, never betrayal.
Zakri was no longer just building a career — he was building a life on the foundation of truth. Because he knew, once you fall, what matters most is how you choose to rise.
No comments:
Post a Comment