Having lost his right leg below the knee in an accident some time ago, the 33-year-old from Kampung Pulau Padang Bota Kiri in Parit, Perak refuses to rely solely on government aid or public donations.
The seventh of 10 siblings has taken the initiative to earn a living by selling fruits from his three-wheeled motorcycle around Bota, near Parit, stopping at well-populated eateries.
“As long as I’m able to move, I’ll continue to use my strength to earn a living for myself and my family,” he told Bernama when met here.
Irwani – who is fondly known as Wan Sekerat, which literally translates to “Half Wan” – leaves home in the morning to collect fruits from local suppliers around Bota Kiri and Titi Gantung, before making his rounds between 11am and 2pm and staying for 10-20 minutes at each eatery.
“It is mangosteen and rambutan season. The response has been very encouraging: I can sell 40-50kg of fruit a day, with mangosteens priced at RM10 per kg and rambutans at RM9,” he told Bernama.
He shared that he had sold fish in his village from 2018 before switching to fruits in 2022 upon realising the demand from customers.
“People who stop in Bota are often from out of town. So, when they see fruits that can be easily peeled, they tend to buy them,” said Irwani, who earns around RM1,500 a month.
Recounting how he lost his right leg in 2015, he revealed that it had happened on the way back to Bota after a kayaking activity in Pasir Salak.
“I was born with a right leg that didn’t function properly – it was limp and dangling – and on the way back, I was riding pillion with a friend. Perhaps I was tired, but I didn’t realise that my leg had slipped into the rear wheel.
“I was admitted to Manjung Hospital and, on my second day there, I asked the doctor to amputate my leg below the knee because it couldn’t be saved.”
Despite the incident, Irwani has never lost hope: instead, it has fuelled his determination to keep working and avoid becoming a burden to his family.
“I could rely on the monthly assistance of RM450 I receive from the social welfare department, but that’s no reason for me to sit at home and do nothing. We shouldn’t let our disabilities be an excuse to remain idle,” he said.
And in spite of his physical limitations, Irwani’s ambition remains strong: he actively plays football as part of the national amputee football team Harimau Kudung, under the Malaysian Amputee Football Association (Mafa).
“I’ve been involved in sports since 2018 and became more active in 2022. I’m currently preparing for the Amputee Football World Cup Qualifiers in Jakarta this November.
“People with disabilities are not only capable of being independent but can also contribute meaningfully to society and the nation.
“Most importantly, never let your limitations become a barrier to success. With effort, prayer, and trust in God, success will come,” he concluded.