From trader to teacher

Never too old: Yong conducting a free language class at Taman Desa Kulai. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

KULAI: From the pasar malam to the classroom, retired garment trader Yong Kuek Fah has never been one to keep knowledge to himself.

Yong, who spent over four decades moving from night market to night market in Johor Baru selling clothes, decided to cease his business following the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

When he tried looking for a job thereafter, those around him were not supportive, saying he was too old.

That’s when the 72-year-old decided to give free language lessons to the local community here.

His students are mostly adults and senior citizens, and the eldest is as old as he is.

“I just want to do something when I still have the energy, which is better than sitting and doing nothing at home,” he said in an interview.

In April, Yong offered to teach English at the neighbourhood residential community centre in Taman Desa Kulai.

He is also conducting English and Bahasa Malaysia classes in Kampung Baru Senai.

With only a Malaysian Certificate of Education (which is equivalent to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia) qualification, the sprightly senior citizen attributes his fluent language skills to his “practical training” at night markets.

“There, I got a chance to mingle with people from all walks of life and various countries.

“I also picked up basic Tamil, Bengali, Nepalese, Thai and Burmese from my customers,” said Yong.

He added that he would also read newspapers, books and dictionaries to improve himself.

The grandfather of three said his current job was very meaningful and that he was glad to see his students improving each day.

“Most of my students are more accustomed to bahasa pasar (informal language or pidgin) and I teach them to speak proper sentences to sound more polite and cultured.

“It also makes me happy when my students speak to me in English or Bahasa Malaysia – even if it is a simple ‘good morning’ or ‘salam sejahtera’.

“To me, knowing more than one language is definitely an advantage,” Yong added.