Dirty Laundry

I have very high regards for Johor Baru incumbent, Shahrir Samad. When he was dropped from the cabinet line up, Anwar Ibrahim who was then the Deputy Prime Minister said, "look what happened to him (Shahrir) now. He has to wash people's clothes." I think, this was after the shakeup in Umno in 1987.

I can never forget Anwar's words. So rude and arrogant. I don't like him at all. I'm glad that Anwar, too is out of the cabinet.

But at least, Shahrir has a lot of dignity. He left the cabinet and started a laundry business. And he was hands on. He wasn't a chairman of a public listed company like other pensioned government officers or retired ministers who are usually guaranteed of such post upon retirement.

Shahrir didn't have a laundry chain like 5 a sac. He operated his Dynawash from a small space in the old wing of Bangsar Shopping Centre (BSC). He also had another outlet along Jalan Damansara, in the same block as Victoria Station. I can't remember which one was opened first.

Anyway, his staff misplaced my clothes which were sent for dry cleaning one day. It took them days to locate my clothes. When they finally found them, it was Shahrir who called me to say that he's sending the clothes over to my house. He took down my address and we agreed on a delivery date.

What a surprise I had. It was really Shahrir himself. He's a former minister. I felt so flattered and honoured.

Dynawash is now a history. Shahrir sold off the laundry shop invest in another business. But still, the only chairmanship I know of held by Shahrir is the Public Audit Committee (PAC).

I'm telling you this story because it is difficult to find a humble man like Shahrir. If only other ministers can be as down to earth like Shahrir. Malaysia will be a better place.