‘Age is no excuse': 74-year-old Pak Habib keeps Johoreans moving with aerobics, humour at Taman Merdeka
A familiar figure to regulars at the park, Pak Habib teaches free aerobics classes from Thursday to Sunday, starting as early as 8am, drawing a loyal following from people of all ages and backgrounds.
Armed with a playlist of over 2,000 songs from various genres, he blends fitness with fun — mixing in everything from silat and Tai Chi to yoga, dangdut and zapin, to keep things lively.
At 74, Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Jaafar, fondly known as Pak Habib, brings energy, humour and inspiration to Taman Merdeka's morning aerobics scene. — Bernama pic
'People won't get bored if we mix it up. At the same time, I also give motivational talks and fitness tips during class,' said the former Telekom Malaysia technician, who also holds a Diploma in Sports Science from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
His workouts are light and accessible, focusing on balance, blood circulation, muscle flexibility and breathing, making them suitable for all ages.
Pak Habib's journey into aerobics began in the 1990s when a friend was searching for a male instructor.
'Back then, aerobics was usually taught by women, so I initially declined. But with a bit of encouragement and some sports knowledge, I gave it a shot — and here I am, still needed by the community even as age catches up,' he shared.
Despite participants spanning various age groups, most are senior citizens joining aerobics sessions led by Syed Abdul Rahman Syed Jaafar at Taman Merdeka today. — Bernama pic
Despite many urging him to slow down, Pak Habib remains steadfast in his belief that age should never be an excuse to stop moving.
'I may have physical limitations now, but that doesn't mean we stop. We adapt to our abilities. The one gift Allah has given me is that I can speak well—I give motivation, crack jokes, and bring humour. That's what makes my class vibrant,' he added.
Among his regular participants is 48-year-old Suhaila Abd Talib, who has been attending his sessions for more than a decade.
'He's not just teaching aerobics. He gives motivation, shares health tips and makes it fun. I've learned so much from him,' said the mother of two.
With humour, and a whole lot of energy, Pak Habib continues to defy age and inspire many — one dance move at a time. — Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
5 days ago
- Malay Mail
Shopee Live, Video, and Affiliates Propels Major Growth for Fashion Brands Amid 8.8 Shopee Live Fashion Week
Shopee's diverse content ecosystem drives fashion sales, orders and shopper savings. Infographic: 'Get Ready With Shopee' garners 15 Million Views through Shopee Video KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 15 August 2025 -Last week, the 8.8 Shopee Live Fashion Week lit up Malaysia's fashion scene, treating shoppers to unbeatable savings, daily fashion content, and non-stop livestream entertainment. With countless styles just a click away, Shopee made online shoppingand effortless with daily discounts on trendy fashion items, livestream, and free shipping with special appearances by Malaysia's favourite content creators,andThis success was made possible through a powerful combination of Shopee Livestream, Shopee Video, and affiliate marketing, collectively driving visibility for fashion brands and making it easier for shoppers to discover new trends and while the 8.8 sale, Shopee Live took centre stage with non-stop daily themed fashion marathon shows. Covering the latest fashion finds, brand features, and influencer appearances, Malaysians tuned in for real-time product demos, expert styling tips, and interactive Q&As. Malaysians saved more thanby ordering through Shopee Live this 8.8, stretching every ringgit to enjoy the latest fashion trends without stressing the the campaign's peak day, these livestreams drew up tocompared to an average day, giving fashion brands immense visibility and conversion. Through livestreams alone, Fashion brands witnessed a, with affiliates playing a crucial role in amplifying this impact through Shopee Live, contributingfor fashion is a powerful tool for fashion brands to connect with buyers and demonstrate how their items look and feel through live interaction. Panda Eyes, a brand well-known for its diverse range of fashion products, saw first-hand the impact of livestreaming, 'The 8.8 campaign's strong focus on fashion gave us the perfect stage to engage with our audience in real time. By the end of the campaign, our orders increased bycompared to a normal day,' the brand shared.a popular fashion content creator says, 'Livestreams are more than just a way to showcase fashion, they're where I find great deals. Being part of the 8.8 sale and having the chance to walk as a model in the Shopee Live Fashion Runway Show was truly special for me. It gave me a unique opportunity to connect with Malaysians, share my love for fashion, and show my followers how to shop smart, something I genuinely enjoy doing.'On top of livestreaming, Shopee Video proved to be another effective tool for fashion growth this 8.8, serving as a crucial touchpoint for brands and shoppers. Led mainly by affiliates, it leverages short-form content and word-of-marketing to help shoppers find new fashion pieces atprices. Fashion brands that tapped into Shopee's extensive network ofduring 8.8 saw their affiliate-driven sales almostthrough Shopee to the excitement,was the campaign's centrepiece contest where thousands of fashion-themed Shopee Videos were submitted during the campaign. The videos garnered more than, positively boosting the reach and engagement of featured fashion brands throughout the entertaining content, Malaysians also searched for fashion accessories the most, with women's shoes, bags and blouses leading the search rankings during 8.8.'8.8 Shopee Live Fashion Week shows how our content tools, together with affiliates, help connect brands and buyers. By making it easier for shoppers to find what they want, we continue to reinforce Shopee as the preferred platform for affordable fashion,' saidThis powerful collaboration not only enhances convenience but also aligns perfectly with Shopee's mission to support the growth of businesses of all sizes, a commitment deeply embedded in the company's culture and #Shopee #ShopeeRaiLokal The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Shopee Shopee is a leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia, Taiwan, and Brazil. Shopee promotes an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem by enabling businesses to digitalise and grow their online presence, helping more people access and benefit from digital services, and uplifting local communities. Shopee offers an easy, secure, and engaging experience that is enjoyed by millions of people daily. Shopee is also a key contributor to the digital economy, with a firm commitment to helping homegrown brands and entrepreneurs succeed in e-commerce. Shopee is part of Sea Limited (NYSE: SE), a leading global consumer internet company. Sea's mission is to better the lives of consumers and small businesses with technology through its three core businesses: Shopee, Garena, and Monee.
Free Malaysia Today
13-08-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
Is FOMO fuelling the rise of pickleball?
Pickleball, a fast-paced hybrid of tennis, badminton and table tennis, has exploded in popularity across the country. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : If you're an avid social media user, chances are you've come across videos of friends, or even celebrities, playing pickleball – the paddle sport that combines elements of ping-pong, badminton and tennis. Of late, the popularity of this activity has been skyrocketing, and even those who previously had little interest in sports have seemingly become ardent players. Could the psychological phenomenon known as FOMO – or 'fear of missing out' – be at work here? Psychologist Norezzati Hanafiah believes that FOMO – often associated with social pressure or unhealthy lifestyle habits – can actually be used positively, such as by encouraging individuals to lead more active lifestyles. From a psychological perspective, this drive is closely tied to the human instinct to be accepted within a social group, which is essential for emotional well-being. As such, in the context of pickleball or other light sports, FOMO can become a positive motivator. 'One might start as a spectator, then develop an interest in trying it out, which can become a turning point towards adopting a healthier lifestyle. If handled properly, FOMO can spark healthy habits that spread widely within a community,' she said. Norezzati Hanafiah. Beyond physical benefits, pickleball also contributes to mental health through its relaxed and fun social aspects — enhancing mood, providing ongoing motivation, and offering social therapy for those dealing with work stress or burnout. According to Norezzati, the approach to health promotion is evolving, with a greater focus on the 'fun-first' concept, as seen in pickleball. This makes physical activities more enjoyable and effective than approaches that emphasise aesthetics or weight loss. 'When an activity is seen as fun rather than a burden, people are more likely to stick with it. This makes a healthy lifestyle something to enjoy rather than something one is forced into,' she stressed. Norezzati added that social media plays a major role in spreading the pickleball trend, and creating a sense of normalisation that encourages more people to try the sport without feeling embarrassed or self-conscious.
Free Malaysia Today
09-08-2025
- Free Malaysia Today
More seniors opt for resort-style retirement homes post-Covid
Most seniors at the resort wake up at 6am and start group activities at 7am, ranging from stretching and yoga to qi gong and swimming. PETALING JAYA : When the Covid-19 lockdowns ended, Samantha Nair found herself alone in her Perak home. The rest of her family had moved on with their lives. But what began as a difficult period of loneliness soon evolved into a new chapter of independence, as the former corporate secretary chose to move into Sukha Senior Resort. Samantha said what stood out for her was the social interaction at the facility, which she described as 'peaceful and spacious'. 'I do a lot of painting here. I get to interact with people my age. Samantha Nair said Sukha Senior Resort stood out for the social interaction and peace she found at the community facility. 'Two years of being alone made me sick. I felt isolated, depressed. Friends would call, but everyone had their own things going on,' the 67-year-old widow told FMT. Malaysia is set to become an aged nation by 2040. According to the statistics department, more than 17% of its population will be aged 60 and above by then. Filling the gap with ageing care Sukha group chairman N Raaj Selvarajan said many seniors were stuck at home with no physical activity during the Covid-19 pandemic. 'After the pandemic, people started looking for community lifestyle options. Seniors wanted to be with people of their age — doing various activities and socialising,' he said. Raaj said the resort caters mainly to the middle- and upper-middle-income group. 'Nursing homes in Malaysia are either for the low-income group or super rich, costing anywhere between RM1,000 to RM20,000 a month. We wanted to serve the (segment) in-between,' he said. Sukha group chairman N Raaj Selvarajan said the resort caters mainly to the middle and upper-middle-income group. Located in the heart of Petaling Jaya, the historic Shah Village Hotel has been given a new lease of life following its transformation into a senior living facility. With over 5,600 sq m of built-up space and 100 rooms, the facility has been in operation since March this year, offering flexible stays from just one day to long-term residencies. The minimal fee is RM3,500 a month, inclusive of meals, laundry and access to all clubhouse activities. Raaj said up to half of the residents pay their own way, while the rest are supported by their next of kin. 'Many rent out or sell their properties to live their old age in a community instead of being home alone,' he said. Most seniors at the resort wake up at 6am and start group activities — ranging from stretching and yoga to qi gong and swimming — at 7am. 'We don't force anyone to join in the activities, but the majority do. On some days, they may prefer to read or watch TV, and that's okay,' Raaj said. Dason Nair, head of Sukha's kitchen, said residents enjoy a mix of Malaysian and Western-style food daily. 'They need more protein and iron as they age. Our kitchen is halal and we serve vegetarian food too,' he told FMT. A similar facility in Negeri Sembilan has just celebrated its first anniversary. Residents of Millenia Village in Negeri Sembilan have access to amenities like saltwater pools, hiking trails, yoga, pilates, massage, and even a rooftop bar. (Millennia Village pic) Co-founder Diane Chia said Millennia Village welcomes seniors from their 50s to 80s, for both short retreats and long-term living. 'Many of our occupants are single or with kids overseas,' she said. Millennia Village has 344 units, 180 of which are currently in use. Residents have access to amenities like saltwater pools, hiking trails, yoga, pilates, massage, and even a rooftop bar. 'There's arts and crafts, storytelling and posture exercises, all curated by experts. It's resort living with senior-living features,' Chia said. Long-term residents pay around RM6,000 per month for two, with two meals — breakfast and dinner — included. 'We want to make it affordable but comfortable. Many of our residents come from Singapore, Johor, the Klang Valley, and even China. They have the funds and they want peace of mind,' she said.
