Deaf community finds friendship at Kota Baru eatery

Kota Baru, a town in Malaysia, is home to a unique eatery that has become a hub for the local deaf and hard-of-hearing community. The restaurant, located on Jalan Mahmood, is typically filled with the sounds of chatter and laughter, but the atmosphere is notably different for those who frequent it. Instead of verbal conversations, the group of over 30 individuals communicate through sign language and expressive facial expressions.

The diverse group of deaf and hard-of-hearing people, led by 43-year-old Bahari Ariffin, has turned the restaurant into a regular meeting place. Members come from various districts, including Pasir Mas and Kuala Krai, and work in different fields such as car washing, construction, and motorcycle repair. They gather there on Thursdays, Fridays, and sometimes Saturdays, enjoying drinks and catching up with one another.

Bahari, who has lived with hearing impairment since he was four years old, said that the group has been meeting at the restaurant for almost two years. Despite their varied degrees of hearing and speech impairment, their shared experiences and common interests have brought them close. For Bahari, the restaurant is a place where silence does not mean loneliness, and where a smile, gesture, or hand wave can convey the message: "I am glad to see you again."

Restaurant owner Zulkifli Mat Ajid, 60, welcomed the group, noting that their regular visits are beneficial both for the customers and his business. Zulkifli, who inherited the eatery from his late father-in-law, explained that the restaurant has a history of being a gathering place for people with disabilities. It was previously known as Cik Awe Pohon Setor, and people with disabilities had been gathering there for about 20 years.

Now, a new generation has continued this tradition. The restaurant sees the group until midnight on their regular days, making it more than just a place to have a drink; it is a sanctuary where loneliness is replaced with camaraderie and understanding.