SHAH ALAM: When she met Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin, the 77-year-old Salasiah Karim gave her a spontaneous hug.
“She is very pretty. She reminds me of my granddaughter who is also called Norashikin,” Salasiah said, referring to her encounter with Selangor Ruler Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah’s consort.
They met yesterday when the royal couple visited Bait Al-Mawaddah, a home for the elderly.
The royal couple was entertained by a mini choir comprising residents of the home.
Met later, Salasiah said she hoped Tengku Permaisuri Norashikin would have a long and blissful life.
“I will be praying for her good health and happiness,” she said.
Known as Mak Tok at the home, she did not want to speak much about her background other than to say that she has five children and was alone.
“My husband left me for another woman a long time ago. I used to go about on a motorcycle selling fish and vegetables,” she said.
Another resident, Ahmad Zainal Abidin, 67, said he was “a rocker” in his young days, so it was no wonder that he was the loudest singer in the choir yesterday.
“I used to sing at weddings and small events,” he said, naming Ramli Sarip, Jeffrydin and P. Ramlee as some of his favourite singers.
A bachelor, Ahmad said he had been staying at the home for the past eight months.
“I was lonely and without friends. My brother, who visits me every week, thought it would be better for me here because I would be able to make friends and take part in activities here,” said Ahmad, who was a former factory worker.
Bait Al-Mawaddah takes in poor and destitute senior citizens. With 26 rooms, it can house up to 52 residents at a time.
Also present at the event were Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and wife Puan Seri Shamshida Taharin.-thestar
