On the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, we decided to take a drive to Teluk Intan.
Based on my new friend’s (boss of SGT biscuits) mantra that whichever way you come from, you cannot miss the ‘Leaning Tower’ square, I managed to find it first time!
My last visit was in a friend’s car (boss of a bread shop in BG) and in Teluk Intan, in SGT’s car, so I did not take note of the routes. At the time, SGT just confirmed the rental of the shop, which used to be occupied by Chicken King. He wanted second and third opinion (mine was accidental and unsolicited). While showing us the second floor, which was meant for BG friend’s consideration as a Hainanese chicken rice shop, he was so convinced that I learnt later that he decided he wanted it for himself!
I couldn’t wait to see his new shop in operation. I did not miss the big sign of his shopowner, ‘Siang Hoong’ while driving to find it. It was made easy as it was just in front of the ‘Leaning Tower’.
I recognised his wife as one of the ladies behind the counter, and went over to say hello and asked about business. Introduced my wife and we were offered bits of different varieties of biscuits to taste. Fresh from the oven at the back, the ‘heong paeng’ and other biscuits tasted really nice. Immediately, we bought a selection to take back.
Pictures of the opening ceremony showed Gerakan leaders like Chia Kwang Chye and local MP, Mah Siew Keong were there to officiate. No wonder when asked about Mah’s cousin, he said he knew him and that “Teluk Intan is very small, we know everybody”.
Beng is a good friend (ex-Sydney U) of Mah’s nephew, Ian, who has been to our place for dinner.
My wife wanted to know where is SGT’s biscuit factory and I could find it with just a wrong turn. I could also find the chicken rice stall on our way out to the town square and decided to have dinner there instead of Sitiawan, thinking we could buy some chicken necks for the dogs. It was drizzling. As we were eating, it rained heavily and I noticed a huge rat running towards my feet and reacted by lifting them to avoid contact. As it continued raining, we could see why the rats were scurrying about. The drains were flooded and the water slowly but surely creeping towards us. I suggested running to the car but wife vetoed as usual to most of my suggestions.
Just 15 minutes of heavy downpour and we were surrounded by a foot of dirty blackish water. A stallholder could easily catch a rat using the charcoal tongs. As we waited I looked around and could see a particular stall (not in operation) with more than 10 croaches avoiding the fast rising waters. I decided to act by running towards the car using the umbrella. Then I reversed the car to fetch my wife who rather walked barefooted wading through the waters.
Having seen this flash flood, I begin to wonder about our nation's priority. This part of town is just outside the famous 'Leaning tower' square and yet the dilapidated conditions of the stalls were appalling. How could this be tolerated for so long without action to redevelop it?
When we reached home, we headed straight to the back of our house and use some Dettol to wash our feet and then use it to wash my shoes.
