By Wilfred Pilo
For 22 years, Mohd Kamaruzam Sabin, 52, has been a familiar face at RH Plaza Commercial Centre, where customers know him affectionately as ‘Satayman’.
His journey from lorry driver to food operator has been one of hard work, family and, of course, plenty of satay. After moving his stall to Best Friend Cafe, not far from his previous location, his signature sup tulang has become a morning favourite.
The hot bone marrow soup is rich and savoury, with tender meat that falls off the bone easily. Fragrant herbs and a thick broth make it especially comforting on a cool morning.
“For me, the most important thing is to make sure the food remains savoury and tasty. That is what my customers like,” he told DayakDaily.
Mohd Kamaruzam said customers who have known him for years still remember his satay, particularly those who used to visit his stall in the evenings.
But as his business evolved, so did his menu.
His morning and lunch offerings now include sup tulang, mee jawa, and ayam penyet, while his smoky satay remains available in the evening.
His satay comes in chicken, beef, mutton, and chicken skin varieties, served with ketupat and his homemade peanut sauce.
“When the weather is cool in the morning, a hot bowl of sup tulang gives you a good start to the day,” he said with a smile.
Mee jawa is another popular choice for those looking for a filling meal before lunch, while ayam penyet has become a favourite among his regular customers. As evening falls, the aroma of grilled satay once again draws customers to his stall.
Mohd Kamaruzam said he never expected to become known as the ‘Satayman of RH Plaza’.
Before entering the food business, he worked as a lorry driver, travelling as far as Miri.
“When you are young, you can drive long hours. But being away from my family made me think about my future,” he recalled.
He eventually quit driving and, together with his wife, decided to start a satay business.
They chose RH Plaza because there were no other satay sellers there at the time.
“I still have my lorry driving licence,” he said with a chuckle.
After more than two decades in the food business, Mohd Kamaruzam said he has no regrets. His two children are now grown up and independent, with his daughter nearing the end of her tertiary education.
For Mohd Kamaruzam, the business has evolved into much more than a means of earning a living. It has allowed him to remain close to his family, build friendships with customers, and turn a simple satay stall into a place familiar to many locals.
From a man behind the steering wheel to a familiar face behind the food stall, Mohd Kamaruzam’s 22-year journey shows that sometimes a change of road can lead to a better destination.
Mohd Kamaruzam’s stall is located at Best Friend Cafe, RH Plaza Commercial Centre. It operates daily from 6am to 1pm and from 5pm to 11pm, except on Wednesdays.
For inquiries, call 014-899 3655. — DayakDaily
