KUANTAN: Taxi driver Cahyono Tandi is a popular figure in the state capital here due to his exceptional charity works.
The 47-year-old’s philanthropic deeds are rather unique – since 2015, Cahyono has been offering his taxi services for free to the disabled, senior citizens, pregnant women and school children.
Despite his uncertain daily income, the Java-born father-of-one has no complaints and no plans to quit, as he gets a deep sense of satisfaction from helping those in need.
Cahyono, who holds permanent residence status in Malaysia, said all his good deeds have not gone unnoticed, as he has been repaid by God in a variety of unexpected and delightful ways.
“I have had passengers buy me meals, the car wash offering to clean my car for free, and recently, when I changed my car tyres, the workshop owner sold them to me at half price.
“(On top of that), many people have offered to contribute (in some way) when they learn of my charity works.
"(That is why) I never feel (that what I’m doing is) a burden, as I can continue to support my family,” he said when met today.
But he occasionally meets passengers who are wary of his offer, thinking it too good to be true.
“There are times when I have to convince passengers about the free rides, as some refuse to climb in, thinking the offer is only a tactic for me to collect money on reaching the destination," added the Kampung Kurnia resident.
Cahyono, who worked previously as a personal driver, said an incident three years ago prompted him to introduce his free taxi service for the needy and school children.
"A female secondary school student boarded my taxi and was in tears when she told me that she could not afford the full charges. I felt pity for her, as until that day, I assumed that all those who flagged down my taxi were those with money.
"The incident served as an eye-opener about the difficulties faced by certain people and some of them do not have transport or cannot even afford a taxi in case of emergencies.
"Since then, I have committed myself to ease their burden. I put up a sticker on my car’s side window advertising the free service, along with my contact details," he said, adding that those ineligible should not take advantage of the offer.
But he does make exceptions.
Cahyono told of a time when he drove a woman who urgently needed to return to Kuala Lumpur; and sent a man all the way to Kuala Terengganu, for absolutely free, when they could not afford the charges.
"Both (the woman and man) claimed they had no cash, but they seemed to be having an emergency, so I obliged. Usually, I try to offer my services within the town area and have a list of elderly passengers who book my services in advance to take them to hospital for appointments.
"My passengers include people of various races and sometimes, when I transport (foreign workers), I charge them just a minimum fee.
"It is sad to see them working at construction sites here, far from their families, and at the same time trying their best to save money," he said, adding that there were some taxi drivers who were not happy with him offering such services as they see his act as jeopardising their income.
Cahyono, who arrived in Malaysia around 30 years ago, said he hopes more taxi drivers would follow in his footsteps.
He has faith in the notion that though he may earn less money than he otherwise would, he is being rewarded in many other ways.