For Penangites, the Cecil Wet Market is a happening place as it houses multiple stalls offering delicious local dishes that attract both locals and foreigners far and wide.
But tucked away from the hustle and bustle is a stall operated by 90-year-old Lim Hiang Eng, whose quiet strength, despite her age, runs just as strong as her love for the country which she has called home for decades.
Operated stall for 33 years
Lim, who was born in 1935 and grew up during the Japanese occupation of Malaysia (or Malaya at the time), had her first job as a babysitter from the age of 12 before moving to Australia to work for the Royal Air Force (RAF) when she was 18. (Author’s note: she’s not a certified pilot)
Fast forward to 1992, Lim set up her stall at the Cecil Wet Market and has been at the helm ever since, where she sells local kuih and bee hoon to regular customers.
When I asked her how does she get to work daily, Lim told me that she previously walked from her home in Lebuh Macallum to the Cecil Wet Market.
“But after undergoing a surgery, my body isn’t as strong as before and I now take Grab to work every day,” she said, adding that the stall is open daily and closes twice a month.
Displays Jalur Gemilang faithfully
Throughout the changes that took place around her, there was one thing that remained the same — putting the Jalur Gemilang on display without fail.
Every single day, I would put up several flags around my stall and if they got damaged or dirty, I would buy new ones and change them immediately,” she said.
But due to her health issues, Lim is no longer able purchase new flags herself and relies on the generosity of others, such as one state assemblyperson (ADUN) who gives out new Jalur Gemilangs to every vendor yearly — a gesture that Lim appreciates deeply.
I noticed there were a total of six flags erected on the top of Lim’s stall and naturally, I had to ask her whether it held any special meaning. And my hunch turned out to be true.
“I put a total of seven flags to reflect Lebuh Cecil’s name in Mandarin (七条路), but unfortunately, someone stole one of my flags and there’s only six now,” she lamented.
But theft aside, Lim added that she not only hangs the flag at her stall, but at her own home too, where she shares her patriotic spirit with her neighbours.
“Every year, they would invite me over to their house for a meal to celebrate National Day. Whatever dishes they offer me, I’ll just accept gladly,” she recalled with a twinkle in her eye.
‘I love my country’
Despite the numerous trials and tribulations Malaysia has gone through since independence and the recent spate of cases in which the Jalur Gemilang was hung incorrectly, none of them have managed to dampen Lim’s love for her homeland.
I love my country very much. All of us should celebrate National Day together as Malaysia is our home and it’s a beautiful, peaceful country.”
I asked Lim whether she plans to watch the annual National Day celebrations in Putrajaya on Sunday (Aug 31), but she regretfully told me she won’t be able to make it this year.
“I’ve attended it two to three times before by taking a bus to Putrajaya. Unfortunately, my legs are longer strong enough to withstand the journey,” she said.
But whether or not Lim’s health would permit her to witness National Day celebrations in the future, I’m fairly certain that her patriotism will forever live on.
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