21/03/2026

SATURDAY | MAR 21, 2026

4 Handcrafted heritage endures in Penang workshop

camouflage design. Jeffri has also received a special commission from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, featuring the official monogram of the Sultan of Johor. His other clients include former Johor Darul Ta’zim player Safiq Rahim and current striker Bergson da Silva. Recently, he produced a special “Johorean” edition watch exclusively for Johor, with only 750 units released, each bearing a unique serial number. Jeffri added that the challenges and setbacks he has faced have never dampened his determination to continue producing custom-made timepieces. “I will continue this hobby for as long as I can as an effort to preserve the tradition of exchanging Raya greetings through cards, especially among the younger generation, as many now choose to do it online.” Hafizul Syarafi added that he is grateful his eldest son, Muhammad Athariz Hafiz, eight, has begun to show the same interest, often helping him open Raya cards received. – Bernama Preserving handwritten Raya traditions in a digital age MUAR: Receiving a Hari Raya Aidilfitri card from a student in the persons with disabilities group inspired a teacher from Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Suria to start a collection of festive cards. Hafizul Syarafi Mohd Noor, 36, a visual arts and Malay Language teacher, said the gesture was especially meaningful as the cards had been handmade by the student since 2020. He said the student continued to send a greeting card each year. “These cards are special because they are not bought but specially made. “These are unique Raya cards that I receive and keep. To date, I have collected around 400 cards from various individuals, organisations and dignitaries,” he said when met by Bernama. Sharing his experience, Hafizul Syarafi said among those who had sent him Raya cards were His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, and the Sultan of Brunei Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, as well as several members of royalty from Pahang and Terengganu. He has also received greeting cards from politicians and acquaintances abroad, including Indonesia. Hafizul Syarafi said he shares his “classic hobby” with his students to ensure the tradition does not fade, emphasising the sentimental value of the cards and the importance of appreciating such gestures. “We need to appreciate gifts from others, and these Raya cards have their own historical value, in addition to respecting the Royal Institution and distinguished individuals. “By sending Raya cards, it can also educate primary school pupils to be literate, articulate and to write kind and polite words to others. For me, besides collecting them, it also serves as a form of therapy that can be calming while expanding my network.

o Century-old Capal Jago continues tradition, prioritising precision, comfort and craftsmanship

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

KEPALA BATAS: As factories churn out footwear by the thousands, a small workshop in Penang is resisting the tide, preserving a century-old craft by making every pair of sandals entirely by hand. Badril Shahidan Hashim, 44, works quietly at his modest workshop, shaping leather by hand as music plays softly from his smartphone, a routine that reflects both solitude and discipline. For Badril, crafting capal (pronounced “chappal”) – traditional leather sandals – is not merely a trade but a generational legacy built on patience and an unwavering belief in honest work. The story of Capal Jago stretches back more than a century. Though formally established in Kepala Batas in 1958, its roots trace to 1923 in Simpang Enam, Penang, long before the outbreak of World War II. Its earliest operations were humble, located in Jalan Dato Keramat near Gurudwara Road, in an area once opposite a police station. Like many traditional businesses, it was forced to shut during the Japanese Occupation. After the war, operations resumed in the same locality before eventually settling in Kepala Batas, where the brand continues to thrive. At the heart of the enterprise was its founder Hashim Hassan, whose dedication defined Capal Jago’s identity. Until his passing at the age of 81, he remained closely involved in the business. “He always believed in staying close to the work. Even when the business grew, he continued making capal himself. For him, it was never just about profit,” Badril said.

Badril said cutting leather by hand to match individual foot contours is a meticulous process that ensures both comfort and durability. – IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE/THESUN

has adapted by incorporating machine-cut production for standard designs, enabling wider commercial reach without compromising its core identity. “We do both. Machine cutting helps us scale, but hand-cutting remains essential for customers who need something tailored. That balance is important.” While prices have risen over the decades, Badril said the increase reflects higher material costs, labour and the growing value placed on handcrafted goods. Capal Jago sandals that once sold for between RM4 and RM9 in its early years, rose to about RM18 per pair in the 1980s. Today, a standard pair is priced at about RM160. Despite the higher price point, demand remains steady, particularly among customers who value authenticity and comfort. Over the years, Capal Jago has

That philosophy continues to guide the current generation. Despite sweeping changes in manufacturing and consumer habits, the workshop has preserved one of its defining traits – handmade production. According to Badril, the decision is not driven by nostalgia but necessity. “Every foot is different. Some customers have unique shapes, wider feet, uneven structures or conditions that make standard sizing uncomfortable. “With handmade cutting, we can customise each pair to suit the individual.” He told theSun that fully shifting to industrial-scale production would prioritise uniformity over fit. Leather is still cut by hand to match individual foot contours, a meticulous process that ensures both comfort and durability. At the same time, the business

Malaysian Battalion, Naval Special Warfare Force and other organisations, as well as clients in Singapore. Jeffri added that his company offers a range of models with camouflage designs customised to reflect the identity of the country’s uniformed services. Each limited-edition series features a unique design or logo tailored to the organisation placing the order. Among notable figures who have placed orders is former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who commissioned an exclusive limited edition Submarine TP1328 model featuring the Malaysian Army’s digital also attracted a distinguished clientele, underscoring its cultural significance. Among those who have worn the sandals are the late fifth prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, former Penang governor Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas and other prominent figures. More recently, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has been seen wearing the brand, further elevating its national profile. For Badril, however, such recognition does not overshadow the values instilled by his father. “He always reminded us not to chase what we like, but to learn to like what we do. “Not everything we like is good for us. But if we commit to what we have, and do it properly, we will eventually find satisfaction in it.” He believes this mindset is key to longevity, both in business and in life.

From military service to specialised timepieces BATU PAHAT: What began with a single wristwatch gifted by the 13th Yang di Pertuan Agong Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin has since grown into a business venture for a Royal Malaysian Navy veteran. producing my own,” he told Bernama at his watch shop in Kampung Parit Karjo, Parit Raja recently. Jeffri, who retired from the Royal Malaysian Navy in 2011, opened the shop in 2016. and strap. “I did it not only to satisfy my interest, but also as a collectible for fellow veterans as well as navy officers and personnel.”

He has since produced more than 30,000 special edition watches, with each edition limited to about 500 units. Jeffri said he has received orders for customised watches from the Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Malaysian Army, Royal Malaysia Police and the Fire and Rescue Department. He has also fulfilled orders from the alumni of Sekolah Tinggi Kluang, Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd, the

Initially, he sold watches from various brands, but in 2017 he was appointed Malaysia’s sole distributor for Submarine Professional Time, a US-based watch brand. “That’s when I started selling Submarine watches, as well as customising them into limited edition watches,”he said, adding that he created his first limited-edition timepiece in 2017 by customising the watch surface

Jeffri Mansor, 59, a former warrant officer 1, said the Submarine-brand watch was presented to him by Sultan Mizan as a token of appreciation after five years of service as the King’s escort from 2006 to 2011. The gift sparked his interest in collecting watches, particularly limited edition timepieces. “But the difficulty in obtaining special edition watches pushed me to start