At 66, Ramlee bin Kasiman is still working hard — not just at his day job, but also to give back to the community. 

Currently serving as the chairman of Nee Soon East Malay Activity Executive Committee (MAEC) and Community Arts and Culture Club (CACC), Ramlee has been volunteering for the past 28 years.  

He joined the People's Association's Grassroots Organisations in 1996.  

The 66-year-old's duties as the MAEC and CACC chairman include organising events for the community in the area — ranging from festivities like the recent Hari Raya celebration at Nee Soon East Seniors’ Hub on April 26 and cultural shows, to food rescues where edible food is collected and distributed for free at community areas.

Additionally, Ramlee also attends Meet-the-People sessions every Monday to offer help to those in need — especially ones in the Malay community that might require his help to step forward with their cases due to language barriers.  

Despite his commitment to serving the community, Ramlee continues to work part-time as a taxi driver — a job he has held since the 90s.  

Juggling all these responsibilities is no easy feat.  

According to the chairman, it comes with sacrifices.  

As a taxi driver, Ramlee stated that "every minute is money", and taking time out of his day to carry out his responsibilities as a volunteer coupled with spending time with his family has impacted his finances. 

"Most of the time, my income is not that good," he shared openly. 

But that doesn't deter him from doing his part in the volunteering community.  

"I'm doing all of this [from] my heart," he continued, while explaining that he could have earned more money driving his taxi instead of attending community meetings. 

"But I don’t think about that," Ramlee said, expressing that he’s happy despite the loss of income on days that he chooses to show up at events.  

Sharing with AsiaOne, the father of three said that he doesn’t expect any reward for doing what he does.  

Despite there being awards being given to members of the community, none of them are important to him.  

“I don’t care about that. I leave it to them. I’m happy [with] what I’m doing,” he said.  

What Ramlee does care about are the human connections he gets to make from these experiences. 

"I'm happiest when I mix around with people. Especially when it's not [just] my committee, [but also] the residents. When we carry out activities like giving out porridge during the fasting month, [we get to] know each other. [The people I help] are happy. That's what I gain," he shared. 

And it’s this passion and dedication that has left a lasting impression on the ones Ramlee has come across on his decades-long volunteering journey — including one resident he's known since the 2000s who still calls him every day now.

"Every day this person must call me at least two, three, four times. Because she stays alone,” he shared, adding that the resident suffers from stage-four brain cancer, so he tries to help her to the best of his abilities during times of need.

"I help her with what I can. [When] she asks me to [help with] bills or buy bread," he said. 

Besides being a volunteer himself, Ramlee is also an advocate for volunteerism — and he encourages others to give back to the community by being empathetic.  

Understanding that many might have other commitments and constraints — he stresses that he invites interested individuals to join him by being open and flexible.  

Explaining that while volunteering is important, he believes that it’s about whether people are willing.

"Volunteering is [from] your heart,' Ramlee said, adding that if a committee member doesn't turn up for a meeting, he would never question them.

As for those who want to start volunteering but can't fully commit, Ramlee encourages them to take the first step by volunteering at individual community events. 

"Come join us, but just for the event," he said, emphasising that you don't need to join the committee officially in order to volunteer. 

As for himself, he intends to continue volunteering for the community for as long as they need him, despite his age.  

“Of course, with age catching up, people can take over me. Then, I will become a mentor. [As long as] I’m still breathing, I will do it,” he stated. 

carol.ong@asiaone.com

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