102-year-old Tok Saimah Keeps Healthy With Boiled Food

KLUANG, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- At 102, Saimah Sajiman still follows the simple routines that have shaped her life, particularly when it comes to her diet and regular meal times.

More fondly known as Tok Saimah, the centenarian from Kampung Rahmat, Sri Lalang, believes that maintaining a healthy diet, particularly choosing boiled food over fried or oily dishes, is among the practices that have helped her stay healthy.

"It is not that I do not eat fried food, but I prefer boiled food such as sayur bening (clear vegetable soup), ikan pais (steamed fish with spices) and traditional village ulam (vegetable salads)," she told Bernama at her residence yesterday.

Born in 1924, Tok Saimah, who was active in gardening when she was younger, said she also strictly observes her meal times, having breakfast, lunch and dinner at almost the same time every day.

"For breakfast, I will have something light to line the stomach, usually before the Dhuha prayer between 8 am and 9 am. Lunch is before Zohor prayer and dinner is before Isyak prayer," she said.

Her daughter, Fatimah Surip, 78, said she was grateful that her mother remained in good health and was still able to stand while performing prayers, despite having more than 20 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.

"My mother does not suffer from chronic diseases, just a slight hearing problem. If you want to converse, you have to speak a little louder, and she prefers using a wheelchair to move from one place to another," she said.

Tok Saimah recently gained attention on social media after receiving a visit from Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia at her residence last Sunday.

Fatimah said her mother's age and experiences of living through several eras, including the Japanese occupation, British colonial rule and the communist terrorist threat, were among the things that drew Her Majesty's attention during the visit.

-- BERNAMA