Sandals in different stages of completion at Abdul Wahab’s shop.
SANDALS made the traditional way, and which pair perfectly with festive outfits, always see a boost in popularity during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri period.
One tradesman who still makes them the old-fashioned way is Abdul Wahab Syamaruddin, who runs Capal Cap Kancil Emas in Keramat Mall, Kuala Lumpur.
He uses handmade tools as well as machines to make the traditional footwear called capal, which are commonly worn by Malay men.
Ahmad Wahab is usually seated on a stool in a corner of his shop, while a large wooden log serves as his worktable.
Stacked around him are sandal parts as well as finished footwear, ready to be collected by their new owners.
Although the number of traditional shoemakers is on the decline, Abdul Wahab and other craftsmen like him say they intend to carry on honing their skills for as long as they are able to.
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Sandals in different stages of completion at Abdul Wahab’s shop.
Badril Shahidan Hashim, at his workshop in Kepala Batas, Penang, is the second generation of his family to make traditional sandals. ― Bernama
Abdul Wahab, who runs Capal Cap Kancil Emas in Keramat Mall, uses hand tools and machines to create traditional sandals. – Photos: RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
Abdul Wahab sits on a stool and does his work on a large wooden log.
Capal maker Azmi Jaafar from Butterworth, Penang, says they are back in vogue due to their retro look. ― ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
