Kelantanese man doesn't let disability hold him back

MACHANG: Husmizi Ibrahim, 47, is paralysed from the waist down after a tragic road accident in 2002 but that has not deterred him from venturing into the sheath-making business.

"After a few years of losing my source of income as an electrical wireman, apart from just spending all day thinking about my fate, I bounced back and my life has changed for the better.

"Initially, I tried to make a machete sheath for my own use and just for fun...I did not expect it would turn out so well," he told reporters when met at his house in Kampung Alor Melaka, Pulai Chondong, here.

Ngah, as he is affectionately known, said his first sheath caught the attention of his brother-in-law Abdul Aziz Harun, 62, who is also a sheath maker, before deciding to get serious in producing sheaths for traditional weapons including 'golok' (machete), sword and 'badik' (dagger) beginning 2008.

Husmizi said he received assistance of RM53,000 from the Department of Labour to build a workshop and purchase six woodworking machines.

"The sheaths are priced at between RM80 and RM800 depending on the size, type of wood and the uniqueness of the engraving.

"I'm using selected wood to produce the sheaths including the 'kemuning' wood, 'buwei' wood and 'penawar hitam' wood.

"Within a month, I can complete around 12 to 15 sheaths and my monthly income can reach up to RM1,000," said Husmizi, who also received a Disabled Workers Allowance of RM400 a month from the Social Welfare Department (JKM).

He receives orders from local people as well as customers outside Kelantan, including dignitaries.

He added that at the beginning of this year, the state government contributed business assistance of RM15,000 to him.

-- BERNAMA