Adnan, who inherited the business some 40 years ago from his father, is seeing greater demand for his headwear this year. Although Hari Raya is still being celebrated under new norms, business is much better.

“Before the pandemic, sales could reach between RM8,000 and RM9,000 every fasting month. But, last year, I could only earn around RM2,000.

“Thankfully, despite the MCO this year and people seemingly not in the Raya spirit, I can say demand has increased,” he told FMT at his shop at Kampung Losong.

He crafts each songkok meticulously to ensure it is long-lasting, expertly going through the stitches and cuts to make it stand out from those manufactured in factories.

“In a day, I can usually complete five songkoks before returning home at around midnight or 1am,” he said.

The comfort it offers wearers has led to Songkok Warisan earning regular customers. Some of his more prominent patrons included the Sultan of Terengganu himself, Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, back in 2002.

Adnan’s songkoks cost between RM50 and RM150 according to their size, height and the type of velvet fabric, which comes specially ordered from Penang.

But while things are improving business-wise, he will soon have to order his velvet from elsewhere as the factory supplying him the material is closing down because of the MCO.

“I may not be able to order any more velvet fabric from the factory for Raya next year,” he said.