“Everyone reads the newspaper”

This post is also available in: Malay

Naina Mohamed Bin Mohamed Abdul Kader, 2nd generation owner

Newsstand at Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur

You’ll find the ubiquitous newsstand on street corners, under trees and literally, in holes in the wall all over the country. Mr Kader’s little stand in Chinatown is a typical example. It offers so much more than just the daily news. Rather it is a treasure trove of stationery, sweets, medicines, toys… the list goes on.

Naina’s father, who hailed from India, set up the newsstand in 1955. Naina himself began working there in 1960.

Over the years, he has watched Chinatown change as traditional trades become obsolete and businesses close down or move out to be replaced by new businesses. Throughout these changes, Naina’s own business has remained relevant.

All morning long, I saw a steady stream of customers stop by his newsstand to pick up their papers and other small necessities. Some of these customers, he proudly informs me, have been buying newspapers from him for more than 50 years.