The RM5 barber


Najjua Zulkefli

SALIM, a 78-year-old barber in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, has worked with scissors and razors for more than four decades.

He has also served in the Kuala Kangsar palace, starting with Sultan Idris Iskandar Shah II, the 33rd Sultan of Perak. The palace would call him to trim the beards and moustaches of dignitaries who came to receive royal awards.

Even with the rising cost of living, he maintains a RM5 charge for haircuts, ranging from the simplest styles to more popular, modern ones. The other barbers charge between RM15 and RM20.

The competition is getting stiffer, especially from shops mostly staffed by migrant workers. But his loyal customers keep returning to Salim’s shop, some travelling back to KK for a haircut during the holidays.

With more than 4,500 shops across Malaysia and more than half in the Klang Valley area, 90% of barbers are migrants from India. In 2000, his son, Mohamad Kamarul Zaman joined him in the business and one day, Salim hopes Kamarul will take over the business when he hangs up the scissors.


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