My Opah in 2009

By MKA

It is rare nowadays to see a woman in Malaysia working on a farm or doing hard labor. But even rarer is seeing a woman in her 80s still working on a farm—especially in this millennium. Clearly, she is no ordinary woman. She is my Opah (a term for grandmother used by many Perakians).

She is fortunate to have lived this long and to still remember the hardships she endured during World War II. She vividly recalls life under Japanese occupation in Malaya, recounting in detail the struggles her family faced. One of the most fascinating stories she shares with her grandchildren is about the day the Imperial Japanese Air Force bombed Victoria Bridge in Kuala Kangsar. The attack was an attempt to disrupt the British Army’s retreat to Singapore after losing most of northern Malaya. She was there, witnessing firsthand one of the most pivotal events of the war.

The villagers called the Japanese fighter aircraft dragonflies (or more precisely, "cakcibor" in the local Malay slang) because of their resemblance—two pairs of wings, an elongated body tapering at the end, and perhaps even the buzzing sound they made. We are incredibly lucky to have access to her firsthand historical accounts, a treasure trove of living history.

She could spend her days relaxing on a couch, watching old movies like many elderly people. But that is not who she is. For her, farming is life. No matter what, she keeps going, determined to do what she loves for as long as she can.

It's still quite a walk to reach the farm. Though it’s not too far, if anything were to happen, no one would know—perhaps not until it was too late. This is the very reason her children use to persuade her to give up farming. But their efforts are in vain. Despite countless warnings from family and friends, she refuses to listen.




Her favorite crop is corn. It’s relatively easy to grow and doesn’t require as much attention as some other plants.




Corn is easy to grow—provided the soil is right. The rewards are well worth it. It’s simple to cook, delicious to eat, and incredibly versatile. You can use it in various dishes, but for those who prefer simplicity, enjoying it on its own is just as satisfying.














As strong as before.


The distance from the house, combined with the remoteness of the surrounding area, raises concerns about her safety and the response time in case of an emergency.

Crossing a drain using a simple wooden plank would be daunting for anyone—let alone someone her age.

But that was back in 2009. All these pictures were taken then. Now, she is not as strong as she once was, having suffered an accident last year that injured her waist. Fortunately, it happened at home and not out here—otherwise, the consequences could have been far worse.

Update: Opah is no longer with us. She passed away in 2021 at over 100 years old, though her exact age remains uncertain due to a lack of official documentation.