Roti canai maker Khairi lost his hand, but not his touch

In a Melaka bakery stall, roti canai artisan Khairi Badri Zainurin has triumphantly reclaimed his craft after losing his left hand in a motorcycle accident two years prior. Initially discharged from hospital, Khairi was immediately drawn back to his stall, eager to once more stretch and toss the dough in his signature one-handed style.

After his 2017 collision that left him with nerve damage and impaired balance, Khairi relearned the art of balancing dough on one hand. His persistence paid off as he gradually regained his confidence and steadied his routine. Employed by family-operated asam pedas and roti canai shop Hamizan Abu Kassim for over a decade, Khairi practiced tirelessly until his one-handed technique became second nature once more.

At the Ujang Asam Pedas stall, Khairi's signature dough-flinging is a crowd-pleaser, drawing both curious onlookers and families of children who have lost limbs. Despite his disability, Khairi maintains a robust output of 300 roti canai daily, with weekend sales climbing to 500 pieces. The stall's resonating appeal lies in Khairi's dedication to keeping his beloved craft alive, even in a modified form.