Expression of Gratitude After Recovery from Accident: HS Cigarette Boss Sends 150 Employees on Umrah

The owner of the HS cigarette factory, Muhammad Suryo, brought good news to his thousands of employees during a visit to the factory in Muntilan, Magelang, on Friday (27/3). As an expression of gratitude for his recovery after the calamity of the accident, Suryo announced that he will send 150 employees to perform Umrah in the Holy Land this year. This number is recorded as higher than the annual Umrah programme routinely carried out by the company previously. In an emotional atmosphere, Suryo revealed that this decision is a form of thanks for the moral support from the employees during his difficult time. “This is my form of gratitude and thanks for the prayers and support from all of you. You are the motivators and what made me strong in facing this trial. I ask that you continue to pray for my wife so that she may have a good end,” said Suryo while sobbing in front of his employees. As is known, Muhammad Suryo experienced a critical accident in Kulon Progo on Sunday (1/3). Although he survived, his wife, Anis Syarifah, passed away in the tragic incident. Besides the Umrah programme, Suryo affirmed his commitment to embracing the disabled community. Currently, there are 21 disabled employees working at the HS factory. To support their productivity, the company will provide special accommodation or a mess, considering many of them come from outside the Jogja and Magelang areas. Suryo stated that his factory is wide open to disabled individuals from all over Indonesia to join without burdensome requirements. “For the disabled friends who are already working, we will build a special mess here. We will also continue to accept disabled employees from anywhere and in any number. Come on, disabled friends across Indonesia, join us. Everyone can work here without any conditions,” he concluded. Suryo’s presence, now fully recovered, was greeted with happy tears by the employees, especially from the women. One employee, Sundari, 63, admitted she felt weak upon hearing the news of the accident that befell her boss. “When we heard Mr Suryo had an accident, we were all immediately worried. Especially hearing that Mrs Anis died and Mr Suryo’s condition was critical. We could only cry and feel weak. Alhamdulillah, today Mr Suryo is healthy and back with us,” said Sundari. The same sentiment was expressed by Tenyria Swastika, 35, a disabled employee from Magelang. She hopes the company’s continuity will continue to open doors for other disabled colleagues. “May HS become even more prosperous so that more disabled friends are accepted to work. Thank you for the opportunity and all the facilities in the form of a mess provided to us,” she said.