Makcik Faridah has been selling apam for more than five decades. She operates her business from her old kitchen, alone. Besides caring for her 80-something-year-old husband, she also takes care of her five grandchildren.
Since her children and their spouses work full time to make ends meet, they are forced to burden their old mother to nanny their children whenever needed.
Makcik Faridah’s children do not have a good educational background. Among her five children, only one received a grade two in SPM and was offered a diploma course. Growing up in a household where both parents have very basic literacy, the offer was easily rejected.
In their early twenties, Makcik Faridah’s daughters were married off to men from similar backgrounds. Her eldest daughter began selling food from her own kitchen; her second daughter is a factory worker, and her youngest daughter offers a babysitting service.
Makcik Faridah has two sons. Her eldest son is a taxi driver while the other works as an office boy. Both their wives are factory workers. They live in rented flats and cannot afford a place of their own.
Like their parents, none of Makcik Faridah’s grandchildren is showing any interest in their studies. A school is just a place they go to hang out with friends. When they don’t feel like attending classes, they skip school.
One of Makcik Faridah’s grandsons has been involved in illegal racing since his early teens. Last year, he shattered his spleen and was badly hurt when his motorcycle hit a road divider. It took almost a year to get back on his feet, yet today, he can still be found racing with his friends.
Earlier this year, Makcik Faridah went through cataract surgery after putting it off for a very long time. She had planned to close her food business for a few weeks to focus on her health, but unfortunately, Makcik Faridah was forced to cut short her recovery and get back on her feet because she could not afford to not work.
Makcik Faridah gets very depressed when talking about her family and her responsibilities. At an age where one would expect to rest and enjoy life, she is still forced to provide for herself and others.
Better quality of life
Makcik Faridah’s involvement in the apam business began right after she got married in her late teens. At the time, she helped her mother-in-law and sister-in-law who were selling three apams for five sen from the same kitchen she operates today. Back then, no dhal or curry was offered with the apams, only coconut chutney.
Today, Makcik Faridah sells one apam for 50 sen. The shop owners who order from her are also demanding fish curry, dhal and chutney for no added cost to them. They also expect her to deliver the food to the shops. And recently, the shop owners requested Makcik Faridah to lower her price by 10 sen for each apam.
Money is getting tighter each day for Makcik Faridah. The annual handouts received do nothing to ease her burden. And the worst thing is, she knows her children and grandchildren will have to endure the same struggles.
This is not the lifestyle she chose for herself or her family. Being born into poverty, Makcik Faridah worked very hard not to sink. Now in her mid-70s, she continues to do so. Most probably she would have to work hard until her last breath.
Makcik Faridah has been exhausted for a very long time. She yearns for a better quality of life.
There are many Malaysians with stories similar to Makcik Faridah. They could be some random Pakcik Husin the farmer, Uncle Ah Seng the lorry driver, Aunty Lean the wantan seller, Uncle Raju the grass cutter or Aunty Selvi the cleaner. They all want the same thing as Makcik Faridah - a better life for themselves, their children and their grandchildren.
They have voted in the past 14 general elections, hoping for divine intervention. Sadly, none of the nine prime ministers did anything much to improve their lives. Some gave great advice, some made good speeches, some offered handouts, and many promised assistance.
Every year, annual budgets were tabled to help the nation prosper. Allocations were made, subsidies were planned, handouts were given, and taxes were cut - but what does it mean to people like Makcik Faridah, Uncle Seng or Aunty Selvi? Nothing.
Despite the government of the day blowing their own trumpet, nothing has helped people like Makcik Faridah. Today, alongside their children and grandchildren, they are still trapped in the vicious cycle of poverty.
With the recent dissolution of Parliament, we will be having our 15th general election soon. From the tables at roadside mamak stalls to the tables at the Royal Selangor Club, many are taking part in discussions about the election process and our 10th prime minister. But Makcik Faridah isn’t bothered about any of it.
Makcik Faridah isn’t planning to waste much time thinking about the election or about what’s happening to the country. She has reached the point where she has nothing left to lose.
When you are abused for being poor as has Makcik Faridah, your life gets smaller and your horizons shrink, and you end up only focused on your own family whose needs somehow take up all your energy for most of your life.
Nothing else matters. - Mkini
FA ABDUL is a multi-award-winning playwright and director in the local performing arts scene, a published author, television scriptwriter, media trainer, and mother. Her ultimate mission in life is to live out of a small suitcase.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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