TAIPING: Mohamed Salah is not selling nasi kandar in Kamunting after Egypt’s World Cup exit.
He is, in fact, Azmi Nazeer Khan, owner of Restoran Mo Salah.
The 42-year-old, who bears a resemblance to the former Liver-pool winger, has been serving Penang-style nasi kandar at Medan Saujana for about three years.
“I’m from Penang and came to Aulong to work at an Indian Muslim eatery six years ago.
“I mostly work at night, and with live football matches on TV, everyone started calling me Salah,” he said when met at his shop recently.
“They would call out – ‘Abang Salah, I want to order’, and the name just stuck. It felt nice to be called that, especially by customers who supported other clubs,” said Azmi, who also supports Liverpool.
Azmi said he chose the Egyptian superstar’s name for his shop because it stood out.
“After checking with the Companies Commission of Malaysia, and finding that the name was available, I decided to use it,” said the father of two.
Azmi said he became something of a meme several few years ago after Liverpool lost some matches.
“Someone took my picture and posted it on social media, saying that Salah is working part time at a mamak shop. This chalked up about 6,000 views,” he said.
On his future plans, Azmi said he hopes to expand his business.
“For now, I just want to make sure my business can be sustainable,” he added.
Azmi also said he is glad that his business has worked out so far with many regular customers.
“I also hope the real Mo Salah will drop by Malaysia, so I can treat him,” he said in jest.
