KUCHING: Meet Muhd Rafiuddin Roslan, a Google street driver and Google’s one and only employee in Sarawak.
Google is an American multi-national technology company that specialises in Internet-related services and products, which include online advertising technologies, search engine, cloud computing, software, and hardware.
As a Google street driver, 27-year-old Muhd Rafiuddin’s job is to help the company update Google Map app.
He does it by driving a Google car which is equipped with a high-tech camera which records the images and transmits data to Google headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.
The headquarters uses the data to update Google Map which is a navigation system installed in smartphones to help the public navigate their ways to their destinations.
Rafiuddin has been working for Google in Sarawak since September 1, 2018. Before that he was a part-time Grab driver in the city.
He learned about the job vacancy as a Google street driver online.
“For now, I am the only Google street driver in Sarawak. I drive for eight hours a day and sometimes I find it quite challenging,” he said.
As a worker for a technology corporation, he said it was imperative for him to have the latest smartphone.
“Sometimes, I need to use my own phone to take images of my surroundings. Currently I have covered major cities in Sarawak such as Kuching, Miri and Sibu,” he said.
Rafiuddin pointed out that as Sarawak was still developing certain areas are still inaccessible due to undeveloped or non-existent infrastructure.
“The highways and roads in the state are not that smooth as the construction of the Pan Borneo Highway is still in progress. So it is quite a challenge when I’m on the road alone,” he said.
He recalled two unforgettable incidents in the course of his job.
“While mapping the roads in Serian District, I was once detained by villagers who thought I was a spy or doing something illegal.
“In Kota Samarahan I accidently drove into a village sewage pool and my car got stuck there for several hours,” he said.
He admitted he has to be vigilant while on the job because he works alone.
Rafiuddin loves his job despite the challenges he faces. He has good words for the people in Sarawak.
“They are mostly friendly and helpful. Sometimes, however, they are curious about my presence in their villages,” he said.
