A keris artisan and a philatelist

Lai making a keris in his workshop in Permas, Kukup, and showing one of the keris he has made. — THOMAS YONG/The Star

LAI Kah Foh never imagined that his passion for forging the keris would one day lead him to the Johor palace and have tea with His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

The 72-year-old, who picked up the art of keris-making at the age of 13, said he was shocked when a man came by his wooden shop in Kukup, Pontian one day to extend a special invitation from His Majesty.