KUALA TERENGANU: Each year, Sam Ooi and his son Eddy look forward to Sept 16 with much excitement and vigour.
For Ooi, born on that day in 1954, and Astro officer Eddy born 30 years later, celebrate their birthday on Malaysia Day!
“I was just nine years old when an independent Malaya joined hands with Singapore, Sarawak and Sabah to form Malaysia in 1963.
“It took me quite a while to comprehend Malaysia Day as the country (Malaya) had just six years ago on Aug 31, 1957 obtained its independence (from Britain).
“I was then even younger at three years old.
“So, I was a little fazed to figure out the difference between National Day (Merdeka or Independence) and Malaysia Day,” said Ooi, a hawker trading a variety of fruits at the morning market in Kampung Tiong.
Hence, Ooi had little difficulty in explaining the difference between National Day and Malaysia Day to Eddy, who was born on Sept 16, 1984.
“I also tried to explain how countries like India celebrate their Republic Day (on Jan 26) when its constitution came into effect, as against Independence Day (when it obtained independence from Britain on Aug 15, 1947),” said Ooi, who runs his business with wife Augustina Lubis.
The couple, who live a stone’s throw away from the market in Jalan Banggol, also have another two sons in sales manager Edward Ooi, 37, and car mechanic Eric Ooi, 36, both of whom work in Penang.
Their only daughter Ederrin Ooi, eight, is a Standard Two pupil with SJK (C) Chung Hwa Wei Sin in Kuala Terengganu.
Ooi stressed on the importance of instilling patriotism with the younger generation as many were unaware of the struggles the county and the people encountered to achieve Independence and the formation of Malaysia.
“We also need to get the various races, especially those between east and west Malaysia, closer and more united for a greater country,” he said.
Ooi expressed concern on the country’s economy and rising cost of living, through the years.
Ooi, who hails from Butterworth in Penang, said that it had been a long journey since he left school in 1969 after completing Form Three at SM Kepala Batas, Penang.
“My family was struggling to make ends meet at that time, with my father Ooi Ah Swee running a small goldsmith’s shop.
“I was the fourth among four boys and five girls and tried my hand at odd jobs for two years to help supplement the family’s income.
“Then, at 17 years, I saw a job opening with the Singapore Armed Forces in 1972 and joined as an apprentice to become an outboard motor mechanic.
“After three years, and armed with some skills, I quit to return to my hometown to work with a workshops,” said Ooi.
Then, ten years later on Aug 31, 1985, Ooi paid a visit to his sister’s family in Kuala Terengganu.
“It was during this holiday break when my brother-in-law threw me the idea to venture out in the textile business for a year.
“But business was not that encouraging and soon I got an offer to manage the Kedai Kasut Karim at Kampung Tiong.
“I have remained in Kuala Terengganu ever since,” said Ooi, who later started his own business selling fruits seven years ago.
His fruits are a variety of local ones that are sold according to their season.