Mohd Fozailah Hussain, a coffin maker in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Klang, Selangor, has seen orders more than double lately in the Covid-19 epidemic.
Fortunately the 53-year-old has his son to help him out in the business that he started about 10 years ago.
“I am very worried about the increasing orders for coffins, which means that the number of Covid-19 deaths is surging and infections are rampant especially of the Delta variant.” Fozailah said.
Fozailah and Mohd Aiman Faiz, 24, work from 9am to 6pm every day. Sometimes they have to work late into the evening to meet the demand.
He used to build 20 to 30 coffins a month. Now Fozailah makes eight to 10 coffins a day. Last month, he delivered more than 120 coffins to the Selat Klang Muslim Cemetery
It takes about 45 minutes to build a coffin. The cost of each coffin is about RM130 to RM150, depending on the material, which is usually plywood.
Suppliers have begun charging more for raw materials, Fozailah said.
“Now I am finding it a bit difficult getting materials such as plywood and white cloth because the suppliers are closed during the lockdown. I have to pay more to get the materials I need.”
Despite his concerns, Fozailah tries to meet his orders because he sees it as a service to the community.
“I am not that concerned about making a big profit because this is part of my contribution to the community, especially during these hard times. I pray to Allah for the pandemic to be over soon.” – August 11, 2021
Mohd Fozailah Hussain makes coffins at his workshop in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Port Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.The son Mohd Aiman Faiz helps his father to make coffins at a workshop in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Port Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.It takes Mohd Fozailah Hussain about 45 minutes to build a coffin. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.Mohd Fozailah Hussain lines the coffins he makes with white cloth, a material that he says is increasingly hard to find and costly. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.Mohd Fozailah Hussain delivers a coffin on his motorcycle, in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Port Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.To meet demand Mohd Fozailah Hussain and his son work late into the night at their workshop in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Port Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.Mohd Fozailah Hussain cuts plywood for coffins, in Kampung Sungai Sireh in Port Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.Health workers perform the burial of Covid-19 victims, at the Selat Klang Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Port Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.Empty coffins await their occupants, at the Selat Klang Muslim Cemetery in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Port Klang, Selangor. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.Mohd Fozailah Hussai take a break from work, at his coffin workshop in Kampung Sungai Sireh, Port Klang, Selangor. He prays the pandemic will soon be over. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Nazir Sufari, August 11, 2021.
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