WHAT was supposed to be just another day turned out to be one of the most memorable days in Norfaezah Borhan’s life as she received an unexpected visit from a special guest, His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
Abdul Rahim holding up a framed photo of his late father Salahuddin Shamsul and sister Tahzibun Nisa with Sultan Ibrahim during his Majesty’s surprise visit to the shop located in Jalan Dhoby on Jan 1, 2016. — THOMAS YONG ?THE STAR “His Majesty’s first visit here was in November 2020, when the Covid-19 movement control order was relaxed to allow dine-in. Since then, this place has become a regular stop for His Majesty every time he visits the palace in Mersing. The last time His Majesty dropped by was about a year ago,” she said.
“I am sure that as the King of Malaysia, His Majesty will take very good care of the people,” she said. Abdul Rahim said that during the royal visit, Sultan Ibrahim stayed for about five to 10 minutes before visiting other businesses along the road, which was dotted with shops and hip cafes housed in old buildings that had remained intact over the decades.
He said he had been helping out at the 87-year-old bakery since he was seven years old, learning the ropes of running a bakery from his father. Abdul Rahim said he is currently assisted by his sisters and they have stayed true to their family’s recipe to maintain the quality and taste. Similarly, N. Geeva, 43, was thankful to His Majesty for making his late father, C. Navamoney, a happy man by visiting their murukku stall in Kluang some 14 years ago.
“That made my father very happy and excited. It was such an honour to have the Sultan of Johor making the murukku at our stall. We were impressed at how well His Majesty was able to shape the murukku.