Along an alley in between houses, an elderly man in a grey T-shirt stands quietly. He appears to be tidying his house-turned-food stall located in the Manjoi Cluster, a town in Perak.

It was a curious sight to witness pisang goreng and keropok lekor seller Syed Safari Syed Tarmizi have such an idle pace when such delicacies should be fast-sellers this time of day - tea time.

After 20 minutes, during which the 50-something-year-old was observed serving just one customer, this writer approached Safari, for a thirst-quenching coconut water and a quick chat.

On a stifling Tuesday afternoon, the man shared his frustrations with a lack of development in the largest and most populous Malay neighbourhood in Ipoh.

“Whoever takes over...