In the heart of Tapah Road, a small town in Malaysia’s Perak state, a 90-year-old Chinese-style coffee shop known as Xin Aun Nong Yong stands as a quiet testament to community and resilience. While the Ayer Kuning by-election brings heated political rhetoric to the region, this humble kopitiam— a traditional coffee shop common in Malaysia—continues to serve as a gathering place for Malays, Chinese, Indians, and others, offering a rare space of unity in a country often marked by ethnic diversity and political divides.
A Legacy of Inclusion
Tucked along Tapah Road, Xin Aun Nong Yong has been a fixture for nearly a century, welcoming patrons from all walks of life since its early days under previous ownership. Current owner Phua Ah Leng, 67, who inherited the business from her late father about 30 years ago, recalls how the shop has always been a melting pot of cultures. “Under the previous owner, the shop has welcomed all” she said when interviewed recently. Originally known as a Hainanese kopitiam, it became a popular breakfast spot for locals of diverse backgrounds. 
Phua, born and raised in Tapah Road, has maintained this inclusive spirit. The menu reflects a thoughtful nod to cultural sensitivities, avoiding pork to accommodate a broader clientele, particularly from the Malay community, who form the majority of her customers. Offerings include beverages, homemade buns, toast, traditional kuih (local cakes), and nasi lemak sourced from Malay traders. “Their favourite is half boiled eggs and toast” Phua noted, adding that boneless curry chicken buns, vegetable buns, and homemade kaya—a coconut jam cooked over charcoal fire—are also crowd-pleasers.
A Town in Transition
Tapah Road, once a bustling stopover for travelers heading to Teluk Intan, has seen better days. Phua remembers the town’s lively atmosphere during the 1960s and 70s, when out-of-towners frequently stopped at her shop for a break. “Construction of newer roads and realignment of traffic flow have seen fewer people coming through here” she explained. As a result, many local businesses have shuttered, and the younger generation has largely moved to bigger cities like Kuala Lumpur for better opportunities, leaving the town quieter than before.
The demographic shift is evident in local schools as well. Phua recalled how a class at SJKC Phui Chen, a nearby Chinese-medium primary school, once had 30 to 40 pupils. Today, enrollment has dwindled to about 35 students of various ethnicities. Her own story mirrors this migration trend—she worked as a clerk in Pahang and Kuala Lumpur before returning to Tapah Road to take over the family business.
A By-Election Boost
The ongoing Ayer Kuning state by-election has temporarily breathed new life into Tapah Road. Political campaigns have drawn crowds to the area, and Phua has noticed a significant uptick in business. “I would normally serve about 60 customers daily but now get 30% to 40% more business” she said, attributing the surge to the influx of visitors and campaigners over the past week. While the political fervor may fade after the polls close, the kopitiam remains a steadfast presence, unaffected by the transient nature of electoral politics.
Looking Ahead
For Phua, the hope is to keep Xin Aun Nong Yong’s legacy alive through the next generation. Her daughter currently helps at the shop, and Phua dreams of her one day taking over the business, continuing to serve as a bridge between communities. In a small town grappling with economic decline and depopulation, this kopitiam stands as more than just a place for coffee and buns—it’s a symbol of enduring connection.
As the by-election buzz subsides, Tapah Road’s residents and visitors alike will likely return to their routines, finding comfort in the familiar clink of coffee cups at Xin Aun Nong Yong, a reminder of what unites rather than divides.
