71-year-old Kelthum defies age, continues to fish for a living

At 71, Kelthum Awang Ngah defies age, finding purpose and sustenance by the sea in Kuantan, Malaysia. For over two decades, the ocean has been more than a workplace; it's a repository of life's memories, both joyous and profoundly sorrowful.

Her journey began alongside her late husband, a shared endeavor that continued after his passing. Now, she navigates the waters with her son and fellow fishermen, her days dictated by the rhythm of the tides. The sea, she says, is an integral part of her existence, a place she cannot bear to be away from for long.

However, the ocean also holds a deep pain for Kelthum. Seven years ago, her son, who was set to marry in a week, disappeared at sea and has never been found. This loss left an indelible mark, yet Kelthum did not turn her back on the waves that claimed him. Instead, she continues to fish, sometimes accompanied by her cousin, using nets to catch shrimp and fish, which she then transforms into salted fish.

This salted fish, along with direct sales and orders from regular customers, forms her livelihood. When the sea is rough and she cannot venture out, Kelthum finds herself on the shore, gazing at the water and praying for her son's soul. "The sea has 1,001 feelings for me that are hard to express," she reflects. "There are memories, there is sadness, and there is sustenance. If the sea is rough, I sit by the sea, watching the sea and praying that my son's soul is at peace and his sins are forgiven by Allah."