DistantNews
Support us
Last Clog Maker in Perlis Continues Crafting for Over 70 Years
🇲🇾 Malaysia /Culture & Society

Last Clog Maker in Perlis Continues Crafting for Over 70 Years

From Utusan Malaysia · () Malay

Translated from Malay, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • An 88-year-old man in Perlis, Malaysia, is the sole remaining maker of traditional wooden clogs, a craft he learned over 70 years ago.
  • Choo Kong Choon continues to handcraft four to five pairs of clogs weekly, selling them for RM12 to RM20 each to local shops.
  • He aims to preserve the traditional art form, which he sees as a cultural heritage, noting that sales are now primarily for decorative purposes or specific cultural uses.

In the heart of Kangar, Perlis, 88-year-old Choo Kong Choon stands as a solitary guardian of a fading art form. For over seven decades, he has dedicated himself to the meticulous craft of making traditional wooden clogs, a skill passed down from his father. Now, he is the last of his kind in the state, a testament to his unwavering commitment to preserving a piece of cultural heritage.

I inherited the art of clog making from my father over 70 years ago. Since then, I have never stopped making clogs, which have become a part of my life and a source of income.

— Choo Kong ChoonChoo Kong Choon explains his long-standing dedication to clog making, highlighting its personal and financial significance.

Choo Kong Choon's workshop, located at the Tokong Tau Boo Keong Temple on Jalan Bukit Lagi, is where he continues his labor of love. Despite his advanced age, he maintains a steady pace, producing between four to five pairs of clogs each week, a rhythm dictated by his health. These handcrafted items, priced between RM12 and RM20 per pair, are then distributed to shops around Kangar, their sale dependent on local demand.

Although it does not generate much profit, I continue the work of making clogs, which are part of the art and heritage that must be preserved.

— Choo Kong ChoonChoo Kong Choon emphasizes his commitment to preserving the traditional craft despite its limited profitability.

"I inherited the art of clog making from my father over 70 years ago. Since then, I have never stopped making clogs, which have become a part of my life and a source of income," Choo Kong Choon shared with Utusan Malaysia. He acknowledges that the profits are modest, but his motivation extends beyond financial gain. For him, the work is about safeguarding an art and heritage that risks disappearing with time.

In Perlis, only I am left making clogs, and in all of Malaysia, there are not many people making clogs anymore.

— Choo Kong ChoonChoo Kong Choon states his unique position as the sole clog maker in Perlis and notes the scarcity of the craft nationwide.

He observes that the demand for his clogs has shifted significantly from previous years. While once a common item, they are now more frequently purchased as decorative pieces or for specific cultural ceremonies, particularly within the Chinese community. This transition underscores the evolving role of traditional crafts in contemporary society, with Choo Kong Choon playing a vital role in ensuring this unique cultural expression endures.

Clog sales nowadays are not as brisk as before; they are mostly bought for decoration or for specific purposes, especially among the Chinese community who have cultural value.

— Choo Kong ChoonChoo Kong Choon describes the current market for his clogs, noting a shift towards decorative and cultural uses.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Utusan Malaysia in Malay. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog