The Good Dr Shariff of Sungai Petani
Dr Shariff is one of the most distinguished citizens here in Sungai Petani. He is the man people look for in this town during the month of Ramadan whenever they cannot or do not fast. He is not a real doctor at all but he is actually a Nasi Kandar seller and his 'prescription' comes in black plastic bags, usually to be taken once in the afternoon together with your favourite drink, also available at his 'clinic'. It works wonders for people afflicted with gastritis whether real or imagined.
To many townsfolks, he is doing a great public service especially to public transport workers, labourers who need to have their lunches due to the nature of their work and of course, to passive office workers who have all sorts of excuses for not fasting. As far as Shariff is concerned, he has a business to run and he needs the money to celebrate Hari Raya (Eid) at the end of the fasting month just like everyone else.
His shop is usually half-opened during Ramadan and people mostly order take-away lunches in those little black plastic bags. However, those in a hurry to get back to work have theirs right there in his restaurant at the risk of being caught and penalised for eating in public. That risky part must have its own appeal towards the making of a great meal as the tables are always full during lunch time.
Shariff's place has been raided by the authorities every year and he has been fined numerous times together with his customers. But they never revoked his licence and he would always be back in brisk business right after the formalities. The raids could not dampen his enterprising spirit, nor could they erase his customers' loyalty.
I remember once during a raid many years back, Shariff's eat-in customers were made to walk in a single file to the police station, carrying their half-finished lunches, through a swelling crowd of Raya shoppers. And Shariff followed close behind with a koleh (large tin mug) full of teh tarik, to join his customers in recording their statements.
The plates were empty by the time the offenders walked out of the station after giving their statements and paying the compounds. They must have finished their lunches while waiting for their turn to face the law as there was no restriction about bringing outside food in police stations. I am not sure if the good doctor walked out with the koleh though. Maybe the police needed that as evidence as well.
To many townsfolks, he is doing a great public service especially to public transport workers, labourers who need to have their lunches due to the nature of their work and of course, to passive office workers who have all sorts of excuses for not fasting. As far as Shariff is concerned, he has a business to run and he needs the money to celebrate Hari Raya (Eid) at the end of the fasting month just like everyone else.
His shop is usually half-opened during Ramadan and people mostly order take-away lunches in those little black plastic bags. However, those in a hurry to get back to work have theirs right there in his restaurant at the risk of being caught and penalised for eating in public. That risky part must have its own appeal towards the making of a great meal as the tables are always full during lunch time.
Shariff's place has been raided by the authorities every year and he has been fined numerous times together with his customers. But they never revoked his licence and he would always be back in brisk business right after the formalities. The raids could not dampen his enterprising spirit, nor could they erase his customers' loyalty.
I remember once during a raid many years back, Shariff's eat-in customers were made to walk in a single file to the police station, carrying their half-finished lunches, through a swelling crowd of Raya shoppers. And Shariff followed close behind with a koleh (large tin mug) full of teh tarik, to join his customers in recording their statements.
The plates were empty by the time the offenders walked out of the station after giving their statements and paying the compounds. They must have finished their lunches while waiting for their turn to face the law as there was no restriction about bringing outside food in police stations. I am not sure if the good doctor walked out with the koleh though. Maybe the police needed that as evidence as well.
posted by Kri at
2:46 AM
2 Comments:
Sometimes establishments like "Dr. Shariff's Clinic" make more business during the fasting month.
What to do, bulan puasa, orang tidak. 'Auzubillah.
By
Bustaman, at 5:23 AM
Dr Shariff, the service oriented supplier to the core. ;-)
By
Honeytar, at 9:46 AM
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