Ipoh: One barber sees independence as more than a celebration marked by the Jalur Gemilang and patriotic songs; it is a time to appreciate life's blessings and share them with others. M. Selvaraj, 39, said the opportunity to rebuild his life after an accident had made him appreciate his barbering skills, which have supported him financially for the past 15 years. For this reason, he decided to mark National Month by giving back to the community, using his barbering skills to offer free haircuts to customers of different ethnic backgrounds today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 'Free For All' programme, running from 9 am to 4 pm, aims to offer free haircuts to around 100 people, including those experiencing homelessness. "I believe a barbershop can serve as a small space where people of different ethnic backgrounds come together. There are Malay, Chinese, and Indian customers here. While I cut their hair, I see them chatting and enjoying each other's company, and that is the togetherness I see," Selvaraj said when met at his premises on Persiaran Bijih Timah.

The initiative also included the distribution of 100 Jalur Gemilang, while customers were treated to free food and drinks. Selvaraj's barbershop has a history stretching back about 50 years, when his grandfather first started the trade, which was later passed down through two generations of the family.

Having learned the trade from his uncle after completing the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination, Selvaraj said the idea for the free haircut programme came after he recently joined Bantu Saja, a non-governmental organisation, to provide haircuts to homeless people in Buntong and Silibin. "It was an eye-opening experience for me to see how people without homes were struggling not only to find shelter, but also to meet their basic needs. I saw many homeless people with long hair, and some were even struggling to find food. As a barber, this is what I can do to help," he said, adding that he had been providing free haircuts to customers who were unable to afford the service.

"Sometimes, customers who are having financial difficulties contact me for a haircut, and I offer my services free of charge. Others come to my shop saying they do not have the money, so I cut their hair for them," he said. Watching his mother work alone to raise six children after his father's death gave him a better understanding of the struggles faced by those in need.

Selvaraj said seeing customers from different backgrounds come together in harmony made the positive response to the programme particularly meaningful for him. "All I hope is that more Malaysians will use what they have to do good and help others in the community. It does not have to involve a lot of money. If we have skills, we can use them, and if we have food, we can share it. What matters is helping others within our means," he said.