[PHOTOS] Walking tall with patriotic spirit to rise above personal sadness
Stilt-walker Uncle Ting Tong disguises pain of seeing his children, wife ailing by bringing happiness to others
Updated 3 years ago · Published on 31 Aug 2022 9:00AM
For more than two decades, stilt-walker Uncle Ting Tong has disguised his own deep personal sadness by entertaining visitors around Dataran Merdeka. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022
by Alif Omar
KUALA LUMPUR – Stilt-walking entertainer Uncle Ting Tong has brought laughter and joy to countless people, young and old, with his jokes, antics and sheer show of exuberance.
Not many know these outward actions of Uncle Ting Tong, whose real name is Roslee Yusop, in fact disguise a deep sadness within him.
All three of Roslee’s children suffer from thalassemia, the genetic disease related to red blood cells, which they have had since birth. The condition requires frequent follow-up treatments.
To add to the family’s woes, his wife is also ill.
Regardless, Roslee does not consider the situation as a drawback in life. He chooses to rise above the sadness by resolving to make other people happy.
In conjunction with the month-long celebration leading to National Day today, he replaced his usual clown costume with one that bears the design of the Jalur Gemilang in order to spread the spirit of patriotism in the community.
Poignantly, his son Muhammad Nirwan continues his legacy as a clown.
If allowed to, Uncle Ting Tong, now 55, wants to continue performing as a long-legged clown till he is 70.
The Vibes photographer ALIF OMAR ventured with his camera to record the actions and feelings of the remarkable street artiste recently. – The Vibes, August 31, 2022
Uncle Ting Tong, whose real name is Roslee Yusop, prepares for another day of stilt-walking. He has replaced his usual clown costume with one that bears the design of the Jalur Gemilang in conjunction with this year’s Merdeka celebration. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022Uncle Ting Tong’s stilts allow him to walk tall, disguising his own deep personal sadness caused by the illnesses suffered by his wife and three children. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022Although Roslee Yusop’s three children have all suffered from thalassemia since birth, they still aid their father in his quest to bring joy to others. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022For 11 years, Roslee Yusop has entertained people around Dataran Merdeka, and his son Muhammad Nirwan is set to continue his father’s legacy as a clown. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022Roslee Yusop gives his equipment a thorough examination before starting his work of entertaining the public at Dataran Merdeka. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022In his stilt-walking gear, Roslee Yusop towers above his son Muhammad Nirwan, who continues his father’s legacy of entertaining the public despite suffering from thalassemia. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022Young children at Dataran Merdeka are delighted by the presence of the Jalur Gemilang-clad stilt-walking clown. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022The presence of Uncle Ting Tong and his son is eagerly awaited by the public at Dataran Merdeka, who wouldn’t pass up a chance for a selfie with the stilt-walking clown. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022Every year, Roslee Yusop swaps his regular clown costume for a Jalur Gemilang-themed outfit to spread the spirit of patriotism in the community. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022If allowed, Roslee Yusop will continue to delight the public with his long-legged clown acts until he reaches the age of 70. – ALIF OMAR/The Vibes pic, August 31, 2022
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