One immediately feels at home upon stepping into Cheng Cheng Salon. Named after its owner, the atmosphere here is inviting thanks to the hospitality of the 62-year-old hair stylist, regarded by her diverse customers as a mother, sister, and close friend.
Lim Mei Cheng’s salon, which has been operating for over 25 years, is her customers’ preferred choice not only because of her fluency in Malay or exceptional hairstyling skills, but because she offers them so much more.
“I consider Aunty Lim my adopted mother here in Kuantan because she has been very supportive and always checked in on me when I moved here from Kuala Lumpur over a year ago. That bond has remained today,” Amirah Othman, 38, told Bernama.
Amirah recalled that Lim showed a genuine interest in getting to know her and asked about her background, which made Amirah feel at ease.
“I never expected that she would treat me like family on my first visit to her salon. Despite our different backgrounds, she welcomed me warmly, understanding the challenges of someone new to the area.
“She often messages me and recommends good restaurants and food stalls. She even introduced me to friends for hiking activities,” Amirah added.
A customer who wished to be known as Sari said she has known Lim since the 1980s, when she first opened her salon at Pasar Besar Kuantan. According to Sari, Lim’s warm personality makes customers feel comfortable sharing their personal stories with her.
“We’ve known each other since we were young and single,” Sari, 62, said. “Even though we are from different backgrounds, it feels natural sharing my stories with her, whether about work or family.
“Throughout my years of knowing her, I’ve seen how she treats all customers without discrimination. She even goes the extra mile by offering to send her customers home if they have trouble finding transportation.”
‘One big family’
Speaking with Bernama, Lim shared that growing up in multicultural surroundings made it easy for her to assimilate with people of various backgrounds.
“I grew up in a predominantly Malay community with my grandmother in Kuantan. I often accompanied her to sell drinks in Malay areas, and she taught me the importance of respecting other races. I was encouraged to befriend people from different backgrounds from a young age.
“This is where my Malay-language skills improved over time. When people ask where I went to school, they are often surprised, assuming I attended a national school, but I studied at a Chinese vernacular school.
“My friends were Chinese, Malay and Indian, so communicating in Malay became easy,” she said.
Lim added that her grandmother always emphasised avoiding prejudice and judgements towards others: advice she still adheres to today.
“She always said whether someone is Chinese, Malay or Indian, we are all the same – one big family – and that we should not fight. She also said no community can thrive on its own without the help of others.
“That is the uniqueness of Malaysia: people live in unity, supporting and helping one another,” Lim concluded.
Cheng Cheng Salon
32, Lorong Tun Ismail 6,
Sri Dagangan Business Centre,
25000 Kuantan, Pahang
Contact: 09-514 2308