By Alezxandria Kapple
SUNGAI APONG: In a quiet corner of Sungai Apong Market No. 2, a modest barber shop has been drawing attention for offering RM10 haircuts at a time when rising living costs have pushed personal grooming further out of reach for many families.
The shop is owned by retired Sarawak Energy technician Tan Soon Pheng, 68, a born-and-bred Sungai Apong resident who said the decision to keep prices low was driven by a desire to serve the community rather than maximise profit.
Tan said the barber shop had previously operated for 16 years at Stutong Community Market before relocating to Sungai Apong after business declined there, prompting him to convert an underperforming sundry shop into a barber shop as a means of survival and contribution.
He explained that the RM10 haircut was introduced to ensure affordability, particularly for parents with several school-going children who need regular haircuts but struggle with salon prices.
“Not everybody can afford RM25 haircuts, especially families with four or five children, and RM10 helps them save quite a lot.”
Tan acknowledged that maintaining such an affordable rate is challenging, describing the price as just enough to cover basic expenses and sustain daily operations.
He said the business remains viable largely due to low rental rates provided by the local council and minimal operating costs, without which survival would be difficult.
Despite the financial constraints, Tan stressed that money was never the main motivation behind the barber shop.
“Money is not everything, and if we can survive while helping people, that is already meaningful.”
He added that doing good should not be delayed until old age or treated as a symbolic act of charity, but practised consistently through everyday actions.
The barber shop is run as a family effort, with Tan’s son, Alvin Tan, 40, handling most of the haircuts while Tan manages the shop and assists where needed.
Tan said his son began learning barbering after completing Form Five and has since undergone professional training and obtained certificates, though he believes skill, attitude and commitment matter more than credentials alone.
“Hair cutting is a skill, and a big salon or big name does not always guarantee better results,” he said, emphasising customer satisfaction over branding.
On average, the shop serves about 10 customers a day, most of whom are long-time friends, former colleagues and local residents from Sungai Apong, Pending and Bintawa.
Tan said many customers come not just for the affordable price, but to support a local business run by familiar faces from the community.
He expressed hope that the barber shop could also help revive the declining market by encouraging customers to shop for groceries, food or fish nearby after getting their hair cut.
Describing Sungai Apong Market No. 2 as increasingly quiet, Tan said multiple factors have contributed to reduced foot traffic, though he refrained from placing blame on any single cause.
He acknowledged that some people may look down on a simple, non-air-conditioned barber shop located in a market setting, but said he remains unfazed by such perceptions.
“As long as friends and kampung people support us, I am very happy.”
Tan said he has no plans to expand the business, citing the risks of hiring workers, rising costs and the complexities of managing staff over the long term.
He added that his focus remains on sustainability, modest survival and maintaining a service that benefits the community.
Known simply as Barber Shop Sungai Apong Market No. 2, the family-run outlet has quietly built a reputation for its RM10 haircut, standing as a small but steady reminder that affordability, dignity and community spirit still have a place in today’s economy.
