Of Bus Drivers, Boardrooms & Grief: A Story of Value

Opening: The News That Hit Me

I read the news few days ago; bus drivers in Johor, striking after their salaries were slashed from RM2,800 to RM2,000. These aren’t just numbers. These are people. These are Malaysians working long hours, crossing borders, transporting hundreds daily, keeping the wheels of both countries turning. And while they struggle, the business owners? Millionaires. The divide gapes wider. The anger grows louder.

The Clash of Social Classes: It’s Not Just About the Money
We like to pretend we’re all chasing the same dream. But truth is, there’s a clear divide and it’s only getting clearer. Those at the top want profits, efficiency, dividends. The rest of us want dignity, livable pay, and respect. Somehow, asking for the basics is too much.

In my opinion, many companies today focus more on satisfying shareholders than serving customers or caring for workers the very people who are the business. A bus without a driver is just metal. A café without a barista is just furniture. A company without people is just paper and greed.

My Personal Lens: Grief, Grounding & Quiet Resistance
It’s been 9 months since I lost my husband. Some days, I move like a robot. Some days, I plan everything, even lunch because plans give me structure when my heart feels unanchored. I decline social events like durian gatherings, not because I don’t care, but because my world is quieter now. Softer. He’s not here to laugh with me over the smell, to tease me about my tiny bites.

In my grief, I’ve learned that peace is expensive and I guard it like treasure. And maybe that’s why this bus driver story hit so hard. It’s not just about work or wages. It’s about how people are treated when no one’s looking. It’s about invisible battles fought by those trying to survive while the world celebrates quarterly earnings.

Closing: We All Deserve Better
I don’t have the solution to systemic inequality, but I do know this people matter. Workers matter. Grief matters. Planning your life with intention isn’t weakness; it’s survival. And saying no to chaos is sometimes the strongest yes you can give to yourself.

To every worker fighting for dignity, to every person quietly healing while the world rushes past, you’re seen.

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