BEYOND the bustle of Klang lies the story of a veteran locksmith who has been part of the city’s pulse for over three decades.
At 71, Pang Kim Soo, fondly known as Uncle Pang, still lives his daily routine as a roving locksmith.
From 9.30am to 2pm, he greets customers who visit him with various needs, from broken house keys, to missing motorcycle keys, to store keys that need immediate replacement.
When evening comes, Uncle Pang peddles his services at night markets around Klang, where customers have known him and his expertise for years.
He has been a fixture at night markets in the city since 1983, when the locksmithing trade was still limited and was fully dependent on handiwork.
The van Uncle Pang has used since 1988 is his mobile workshop that holds key cutters, smithing tools, and invaluable experiences. It is in this roving memory trove that he travels from place to place, slowly building customer trust.
For the father of four, whose firstborn entered the world in 1982, the career isn’t just a source of income, but a responsibility and his life’s legacy.
In the 33 years he has served Klang, he has seen times change from when people used traditional metal keys to more modern locking systems, but his principles remain the same — honest, neat, affordable work.
Today, the locksmith isn’t just a trader, but a figure known to the local community. His story reflects the diligence of urban petty traders who have remained steadfast in the face of rapid modernisation.
In Klang, the metallic clinking of his key cutter is the symbol of tenacity, experience, and trust of the people.
Photographer HARUN TAJUDIN captures Uncle Pang’s daily routine, immortalising his refined handiwork and the resilience of an old-timer who is still going strong.
