Bakar bin Job, 63, parang craftsman, grandfather Kampung Baru-Baru, Kelawat, Sabah Bakar learned how to craft the unique Bajau parang from his father, who had learned from his own father. Looking at Bakar’s young grandson following him around, it’s safe to say that this family tradition will...
“My family has been here for four generations” Cheong Lee Sundry Shop, Bukit Koman, Pahang Wong Chor Lum, 59, owner For over 100 years, Cheong Lee has been the mainstay of this community in Bukit Koman, which predominantly comprises Hakka Chinese. Founded by Mr Wong’s great-grandfather, this sundry...
“Handwoven songket is so precious, it can last for generations” Semek Sulaiman, 61, songket weaver Cik Minah Songket & Batik, Kota Bahru Puan Semek learned how to weave songket at the age of 14. Now she longs to pass on her skills and knowledge to a new generation...
Azman bin Mohammad with Borhanuddin bin Syafie, the son of Pok Awi (in the background), another renowned master boat builder. Pok Awi is one of the three famous master boat builders in Pulau Duyong. His employee, Azman (this page), learned the art of boat building from his...
Nurul Nayli Alya, a whole world ahead of her This photograph of Nurul Nayli Alya who is Pok Hassan, the boat maker's granddaughter, was taken on the wooden pier at the boatyard in Pulau Duyong, Terengganu. It was about to rain but the air was still....
Jamaluddin bin Zakaria, fisherman Marang, Terengganu This unassuming young man is also continuing in the family business. He was a little self-conscious about having his picture taken until he started moving around his two boats. Then he exuded the surefooted confidence of someone who has been around...
Hasmi bin Ali aka Pok Hassan, fourth-generation boat builder Pulau Duyong, Terengganu Pok Hassan’s formal education ended at 12 because he did not have a birth certificate and so could not go on to secondary school. At that young age he entered the family’s boat building business...
Saidi (Mat) bin Haji Ghani, fleet owner Kota Bharu, Kelantan Encik Saidi comes from a fishing family but he is an entrepreneur at heart. He has expanded his father’s single fishing boat into a fleet of five. His daily routine is simple. He gets to work very early...
Mr Choo. Sang Kee Rattan Shop Jalan Tun Perak, Kuala Lumpur 2016 When Choo’s father first arrived in Malaysia, he brought with him a knowledge of the rattan industry. The shop was established on Jalan Tun Perak. As the shop prospered, he was able to send his...
Amrul Hidayat & Norzatul Ramlan Saudin. Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai. 2016 Story by Ivy Soon. Photos by Kenny Loh. Reproduced from the book, Seberang Perai – Stories from Across the Sea. The late Haji Hashim Hassan was a famous Kepala Batas capal (sandal) maker, and he was...