Chan Yong (left) and fellow durian farmer David Han, 57, sorting out fruits at the orchard in Chaah. —Photos: THOMAS YONG/ The Star
DESPITE being in his 80s, Han Chan Yong gets up every morning to tend to his 4ha durian orchard at Chaah in Segamat, Johor.
Chan Yong, 84, said while circumstances has forced him to continue working in his golden years, he refused to look at it negatively.
“It is true that I will not be able to get by if I stop working.
“I never married and have no children. I have no one to depend on, but myself.
“However, I am happy to continue working and have never felt forced to do so.
“I believe that even if the situation was different if I had children to support me or enough savings to get by, I will still work at this age,” he told StarMetro.Chan Yong, who started working in his teenage years, said he was used to labour-intensive jobs.
“I was in my 40s when I finally owned my own orchard. Prior to that, I did odd jobs, mostly in the agriculture industry.
“I don’t think I could sit still at home and do nothing.
“This is the life that I am accustomed to. I have no complaints.
“As long as I can still work, I will continue to do so,” he said.
Chan Yong is just one of many senior citizens opting to remain in the workforce well after their retirement age.
Khabariah Wan Omar, 74, decided to continue working to ensure financial stability without having to depend on her six children.
Mohamad Isa continues working because he does not want to trouble his children.
“My children have their own responsibilities and I do not want to burden them, especially as most of my grandchildren are still schooling.
“Since I am able and healthy to work, I decided to continue doing so,” she said.
Khabariah, who is currently working at a food stall in Johor Baru, said she had been working since her early 30s after getting divorced.
“I was a housewife but after becoming a single mother, I had no choice but to look for a job.
“I was a cleaner for over 30 years. However, I lost my job during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“After being jobless for about three years, my friend who owns a warung offered me a job,” she said.
She works at the stall from 10am to 6pm every day except Saturdays.
“Sometimes I help to cook, other times I will clean or prepare ingredients for dishes.
“It is tiring to work at this age but I think if I were to stay at home, it would be so much worse as I may get joint pains from not moving enough,” she said.
Smallholder Mohamad Isa Murah, 66, decided to keep on working because he did not want to trouble his children.
“I have nine children. Seven are adults and have started working while two are still under my care,” he said.
“My children have families of their own and I don’t think it is fair to depend on them.”
He added that his youngest child aged 16 had Down syndrome and his wife was not working.
“I still have people depending on me.
“So, I need to continue working for as long as I can,” said Mohamad Isa, who also has heart problems.
For some, working after retirement age is a way to remain active and maintain good physical and mental health.
(From right) Ang and Indrani with their colleague Masni Ismail walking to their work stations at the supermarket in Permas Jaya, Johor.
Among them is 70-year-old Ang Lock Moi, who also goes for dance sessions with her friends to remain active.
“I used to work as a clerk when I was single, but left my job after getting married.
“Since then, I became a full-time housewife to care for my four children.
“Once all of them went off to university and led their own lives, I felt a bit lonely so I decided to look for a job,” said Ang, whose children are aged between 26 and 42.
She added that her husband, who was a general manager of an electronics company, retired about five years ago.
“I started working about the same time my husband retired from his job.
“For me, working is a good way to remain active as it is very easy for people my age to suffer from poor mental and physical health if we do not do anything.”
Ang said she took up part-time employment at a supermarket in Permas Jaya where she packs dry food ingredients.
“It is an easy job and can be very therapeutic,” she said, adding that she had never regretted her decision to work at a late age.
Echoing this sentiment is C. Indrani, 67, also a part-time packer at the supermarket.
“I used to work as a board operator in Singapore for about 14 years.
“I quit my job to take care of my daughter after my maid returned to her home country,” she said.
Once her daughter had grown up, Indrani opted for a job at the supermarket to keep her mind and body active.
“My sister works in the same supermarket and helped me get an interview,” she said.
“I am glad that there are employers who are willing to hire us despite our age.
“It is very important for seniors to work or have some activity to do for their mental and physical health,” she said.
