92-year-old Kota Bharu tailor still going strong

KOTA BHARU: The saying 'old habits die hard' certainly holds true for 92-year-old tailor Che Hamat Che Pa, who feels that his day is incomplete without his needles and thread.

Affectionately known as Ayahmat, the Harison Style tailor shop operator is busy sewing Raya outfits to fulfil his customers' orders.

In fact, Ayahmat said he would sometimes feel feverish or have nerve pains if he did not properly practice the craft which he learned from his late cousin, Wan Ibrahim Che Abdullah.

"Praise to Allah I am still blessed with good health, except for two years ago when I underwent surgery for my left eye... but I am still actively sewing," he told reporters at his house in Kampung Kubang Cherang, near here, today.

The father of five has been a tailor for the past 73 years and is adept at making baju Melayu, which he charges RM130, man's robe (RM70), woman's robe (RM50) and baju kurung (RM45-RM50).

"I learnt my tailoring skills from my late cousin Wan Ibrahim, who had experience working in Singapore and Egypt and his clients also included the royal families," said Ayahmat, adding that the shop's name 'Harison' was also his third son's name.

He has been operating from home since 2019 and, although it's quite far from the main road, every year he still gets orders from his regular customers, comprising local residents as well as those from other districts such as Kota Bharu and Pasir Mas.

He said that while he used to be assisted by 10 employees and his wife, Zawahir Abdullah, 60, the travel ban imposed following implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) has resulted in his customers being unable to come to his house personally, thus making it difficult for him to carry out proper measurements and fittings.

"Following the re-implementation of the MCO due to rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state, I've only received orders for 30 pairs for baju raya this year compared to over 100 pairs last year.

"However, the good thing now is I have more time to spend with my family. I can also sew just one or two pairs a day now," said Ayahmat, who has 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

-- BERNAMA