KUANTAN: The presence of the popular Hello Kitty cartoon mascot in Teluk Chempedak eagerly waving at children has caught the attention of beach goers, including many foreigners.
The mascot is often spotted dancing not only to attract the little ones but also adults who will seize the opportunity to take pictures with the famous Japanese cartoon character.
However, what people do not know is behind the cheerful mascot is an elderly woman, Siti Endon Ismail, 56, who spends hours daily walking along the beach to entertain others so that she could buy food for herself and feed her 50 cats.
Despite her age and the unbearable heat inside the costume, she never feels shy as she tries to earn a living without troubling others.
“I do not ask for any payment and it is up to people to give me any amount. I am not only supporting myself but also the cats which I keep at home. If I do not go to work then who is going to buy their food?
“I live alone here in Kuantan as my children are living with my ex-husband...I only have the cats as my companions so I have to look into their needs and take good care of them,” said Siti Endon when met at the popular Pahang beach.
Her story came to light when she was photographed wearing another costume of a cartoon character, which she also wears for work.
An image of a despondent-looking Siti Endon clad in a Doraemon costume with her head looking down to the ground had gone viral on social media with many netizens sympathising with her.
Siti Endon, who is from Kampung Tengah here said she has been wearing the costumes for three years and the money she earns will be spent for her daily needs.
“I have been dressing up as Doraemon, Snow White and a bear. I do not earn much...sometimes around RM30.
“Sometimes people hire me to entertain during events at the fast food restaurants in Teluk Cempedak or at private events,” she said.
Speaking on her picture that went viral, Siti Endon said she was resting on the rock near the beach as there were not much visitors at the beach on that respective day.
“When there are less people at the beach, I become a little upset as surely my daily income will also drop. I never expected the picture to go viral and many people started to approach me asking if I was the person wearing the Doraemon costume....some handed me some assistance,” she said.