Tasteful tribute to ‘curry mee’ sisters

A photographer aiming at the mural of the Lim sisters painted on corrugated zinc sheets in Ayer Itam.

THE famous Lim sisters, who are known for their curry mee in Ayer Itam, Penang, have been immortalised in the form of a mural at the Ayer Itam market.

Measuring 4.6m in height and 7.6m in width, the mural is one of five art pieces at the market under the Ayer Itam constituency.

Ayer Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said the mural depicting the Lim sisters was painted by a Sarawakian and was completed on Chinese New Year eve.

“The mural is a tribute to the sisters and their famous curry mee, which they were selling for over 70 years, ” he said.

The Lim sisters, Kooi Heang, 89, and Kooi Lye, 87, who started selling their curry mee in Ayer Itam in 1946, retired around three years ago. However, they still drop by the stall to catch up with their regular customers.

Their grandniece, Ong May May, 31, took over the business as she did not want the trade to be discontinued.

Ng said five murals were commissioned to be painted on several walls at the Ayer Itam market.

“Two of the artists are from Penang, one from Kuala Lumpur, one from Sabah and another from Sarawak.

“They completed the murals within 10 days, just before Chinese New Year.

“The murals are part of a beautification effort to attract visitors to the area, where they can enjoy the murals and savour famous delicacies in Ayer Itam, ” he said.

Ng said the cost of the project would come under his constituency funds.

“We are planning an official launch of the project once the movement control order is lifted, ” he added