Struggling golf ball seller soldiers on for sake of wife
“THIS is my only source of income… at this age, what else can I do?” said Jaapar Leman, a used golf ball seller. After being in the same business for 25 years, the 66-year-old former soldier is adamant about continuing his modest business despite barely selling anything during the ongoing Movement Control Order (MCO).
Every day, Jaapar would sit with his wife, Arniza Mokhtar, 46, on a road shoulder near the Tiara Golf and Country Club in Ayer Keroh, Melaka.
His wife, who is a person with disabilities, is the source of his determination as he has to continue operating his business to look after her.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is the hardest time compared with all my years in this trade. I only managed to sell one packet of golf balls last month for RM30. I am relieved even if I get to sell one packet. At least there’s money for us,” he told Harian Metro when met at his stall.
Despite being aware that no sports activities are allowed under the MCO, Jaapar insists on keeping up his trade.
“The word ‘despair’ does not exist for me. Every day, I would go out with my wife as early as 8am and set up shop until the evening.
“We will pack some rice to eat throughout the day, and we wait here for customers.
“We are thankful for we have not run out of food during these trying times, as even eating rice with plain sambal is enough for us.”
Jaapar, who served in the army for seven years, said that as long as he had the capability, he would try to earn his own income.
“Only my wife receives monthly assistance from the Welfare Department. Praise to Allah, recently we have received food basket assistance.
“My son has also been helping me in my business as my wife is not healthy and I need to take care of her”.
He said his business picked up a bit recently when many people stopped by his stall.
“Thankfully, there will be more sustenance for us when a lot of these packets are sold.”