The RM5 Barber

Salim, a 78-year-old barber in Kuala Kangsar, Perak, who has worked with scissors and razors for over 40 years of his life. Throughout his career as a barber, he has served in the Kuala Kangsar royal palace during the time of Sultan Idris Iskandar Shah II, the 33rd Sultan of Perak. The palace would call him to trim the beards and moustaches for dignitaries who came to receive royal awards.

Even with the rising cost of living, he maintains a RM5 charge for haircuts ranging from the most simple styles to more popular, modern ones. This is despite others charge between RM15 to RM20.

Despite the rising competition from other shops, which are mostly staffed by migrant workers, locals keep returning to Salim's shop where they feel comfortable. With over 4,500 shops across Malaysia and more than half in the Klang Valley area, 90% of barbers are migrant workers from India. Some of his regular customers who have since gone to live elsewhere still return to his shop for haircuts during the holidays. In 2000, his son, Mohamad Kamarul Zaman joined him as a barber.

Despite his love for the profession, his age is catching up. He hopes will continue to cut hair for as long as he is able to. But when the time comes, he hopes his son will take over the business.

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