How an old dodol tradition keeps neighbours close

Tan Siew Tong, a 75-year-old resident, participates in the traditional Malay sweet treat preparation known as dodol. This activity, typically carried out by her Malay neighbours in their youth, brings people together like a warm, shared experience. Tan recalls her teenage years in Kampung Kelubi, where the family home's shed often became a haven for the Malay community to work together.

Even decades later, Tan still enjoys helping her friends make dodol at the neighbourhood watch post in Taman Bemban Utama. The process can last up to eight hours, demanding patience and physical strength. Tan states that she appreciates these communal activities because they remind her of her teenage years, where the shed at her family home was the centre of Malay community gatherings.

Today, Indian residents also join in the dodol-making sessions, further strengthening the sense of community. Tan has been involved with the neighbourhood women's group since 2009 and helps pack the finished dodol for sale. The finished product is sold at RM10 per large container and RM3 for a small one. The neighbourhood committee chairman, Ahmad Zaki Arshad, explains that the dodol-making tradition started about five years ago, initially on a small scale.

Now, it has grown significantly, with orders coming in particularly during Hari Raya and weddings. Approximately 10kg of wheat flour and 40 coconuts are used to produce over 50 containers of dodol. The proceeds from the activity help support other neighbourhood initiatives, while the group continues to find ways to expand the community venture.

For Tan, the essence of the dodol-making tradition remains rooted in the joy of making food together with neighbours of all backgrounds, just as she did when she was young.