Hajjah Marseah Bonoh, together with some of her children and grandchildren, cooked up a storm last night at her home in Fajar Road to prepare for today's festivities.

Every year, on the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, the 84-year-old spends about 12 hours preparing her family favourites for the special occasion, including sambal goreng, a spicy dish with tofu, long beans and prawns, and ketupat, a Malay traditional rice cake.

In October 2016, Madam Marseah fell and fractured her hip. Despite that, she insists on cooking for her family every Hari Raya.

"I am worried for her due to her old age, but I understand that she wants to do her best to cook for the family. What we do nowadays is to come back and help her on Hari Raya eve," said Madam Marseah's son, Mr Ismail Hashid, 53, director of rooms at a hotel.

Jasia Shamdasani