This Malaysian is 93 and still dishing out her famous achar Sarawak

‘If I sit still, I will feel sick,’ says Tan. Photos: Mary Chua

Lily Tan may be 93, but age has not slowed her down. Just a few days ago, the nonagenarian from Miri, Sarawak made a large pot of acar Sarawak, a traditional sweet-and-sour pickled vegetable dish made with julienned cucumbers, carrots and spices.

“I like to keep active. If I sit still, I will feel sick,” jokes Tan during a video call from Miri, Sarawak recently.

Tan’s achar Sarawak has been a family favourite for decades.

“I made acar Sarawak because my youngest daughter Martina, who is in KL, is flying back to Miri for a short holiday. It’s one of her favourites,” she says proudly.

Last month, videos of Tan teaching her nieces how to fold and crimp the edges of curry puffs were shared among family and friends.

At 93, this is clearly a senior who has no intention of slowing down.

With permed hair accented with grey streaks, the mother of four is sprightly, chatty and full of energy. Although slightly hard of hearing, her mind remains sharp.

After retiring at 53 from her job as a secretary with an oil and gas company in Miri, Tan has kept herself busy with the things she loves – cooking, baking, gardening and, quite simply, staying active.

Without missing a beat, she shares her recipe for acar Sarawak, which she learned from her Peranakan mother.

She talks us through the time-consuming process, from julienning the vegetables and blanching them in boiling water to sun-drying them before preparing the spice-filled gravy for the pickle.

“I usually make it for Chinese New Year, Christmas, Gawai or when the three grandkids request for it,” says Tan, who is of Peranakan and Teochew heritage. She lives with her eldest daughter in Miri.

Tan sun-dries the vegetables the traditional way to keep her achar Sarawak crunchy.

What’s their secret?

Tan is among the many older Malaysians who show that growing older doesn’t necessarily mean slowing down. She is not alone.

Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is 101, has also spoken about the importance of staying energetic in later life.

“I believe it has to do with being active. I don’t just sit around or stay in comfortable places. I do various activities; I go for walks, I ride horses and cycle,” he said in an interview with The Star last year.

Tan is still adept at using her smartphone, keeping in touch with family through WhatsApp video calls.

Let’s not forget adventurer Yusuf Hashim, 80, who encourages senior citizens to live life to the fullest... just like him. The ex- corporate man, who retired at 53, has travelled to 120 countries in his trusty jeep, sailed to both Antarctica and the Arctic. And he continues to organise journeys to the Antarctica to share its breathtaking landscapes with travellers.

“You are the chief executive officer and managing director of your life. It’s up to you to plan your life,” Yusuf says.

Yusuf encourages seniors to stay active and make the most of life. Photo: Yusuf Hashim

Tan shares the same mindset. She is determined to keep busy, stay engaged and make the most of each day.

“I don’t like to just sit around,” she says. “I must do something. My advice to other senior citizens is to choose activities they enjoy. It can be anything like walking, gardening to cooking,” says Tan, who is adept at using WhatsApp video calls to keep in touch with her family.

Like many seniors, Tan has a daily routine that she follows. She wakes up at around 5.30am and makes it a point to tend to her garden, raking the leaves and watering the plants.

“I have to do that earlier because later, it gets a bit hot,” she says.

Tan, pictured with her parents during her teenage years. Photo: Lily Tan

Nutrition is also important to Tan, who makes sure she starts her day with a good breakfast. And if you want to know her secret to a long life, she sticks to the same breakfast almost everyday, comprising bread, cheese, a half-boiled egg and black coffee.

For her, meals are not just about eating but also about maintaining a healthy routine.

She also enjoys watching Korean drama, particularly those centred on family. Some series have kept her glued to the screen for up to 100 episodes.

“My eyesight is bad, so I read the subtitles. I can’t read much as I have AMD (age-related macular degeneration).”

Staying active

Tan’s active lifestyle comes at a time when Malaysia’s population is steadily ageing.

Tan looking radiant as she celebrates her 92nd birthday.

According to Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Malaysia is projected to become an “aged nation” by 2048, when those aged 65 and above are expected to make up 14% of the population.

Malaysia officially became an ageing nation in 2021, when the proportion reached seven percent. Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) figures show that Malaysia’s population stood at 34.2 million in 2025 and is projected to reach 36.4 million by 2030 and 38.3 million by 2035.

“Increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates mean that the number of younger people aged between 0 and 14 will continue to decrease, while the elderly population above 65 will keep rising,” he said in the article,"Malaysia To Become Aged Nation By 2048," on the Ministry of Finance’s website.

Dr Tan Maw Pin, a professor of geriatric medicine at Universiti Malaya says that older adults should be encouraged to remain physically active, socially connected, mentally stimulated and well-nourished.

“Regular exercise is one of the most effective interventions, especially strength, balance and walking activities. Physical inactivity is another major issue and contributes to sarcopenia, frailty, falls and muscle loss.

“Chronic diseases should be detected early and treated well. Vaccinations for diseases such as influenza, pneumococcal and Covid-19 are also important in preventing serious illnesses,” says Dr Tan in the article, “Staying fit, staying connected” in The Star.