By Tony Mariadass
‘Foodie Bikers’ Haven
BANTING: ‘Attapka
Seafood Restaurant’ owned by former international footballer from Kuala Lumpur,
See Kim Seng, has seen a new group of clients of late – Bikers – and it fast growing
in numbers.
After
experiencing bad times during this Covid-19 pandemic since last year when Movement
Control Order (MCO) saw his restaurant bring down its curtains, and later only
able to receive ‘take away’ orders, Kim Seng sighed relived when first
dine-in was allowed and inter-district allowed recently, and now inter-state
travel too allowed.
“My customers
used to be locals, friends and sometime outstation clients,” said the
57-year-old father of five daughters.
“But of
late, when inter-district travel was allowed, I was pleasantly surprised to get group
of bikers coming to my restaurant.
“It was
by word of mouth that these bikers who add food outlets to their bike riding
expeditions, that saw these groups patronise my outlet.
"And now not
a weekend or public holiday passes by with a least one or two bikers groups coming to my
restaurant to feast.
“Their
presence certainly adds colour to my outlet and a delight to my other customers
to view these big bikes up close and personal.
“And with
the bikers themselves pleased with the food we serve here and passing the word
to their other biker friends, I am getting more biker groups coming to my outlet.”
Kim Seng
said one bikers group in particular led by Danny Zuko has been promoting his
outlet to other biker groups.
Kim Seng, is proof that there is life after
football, if one plans well, works hard, willing to face challenges, be prudent
and keep one’s feet firm on the ground always.
The burly
Kim Seng who grew up at Kampong Kelanang, Banting, has come a long way to
establish himself as a successful businessman, since he last played for Negri
Sembilan in 1994.
He has
managed a heavy machinery business successfully from 1995 to 2013, before
recession saw him fold the business, then set up his own heavy machinery
company for a few years, and after his last job during the building of KLIA 2,
decided to go into managing a golf driving range at the Desa Driving Range
at Shah Alam – his second, after the first in Bandar Baru Kelang in 2015,
where his contract of the range was not renewed after three years - and now
runs a seafood restaurant – Attapka – since February last year.
Kim Seng
who took up golfing after football and was a single handicapper, also runs a
coaching clinic for children at his range, but now has asked his friend to run
it, because he must concentrate on his seafood restaurant.
“I come
from a family of seven and was the fifth. As a 12-year-old I used to follow my
late father (See Thiam Sem) who ran a fruit shop, to buy coconuts and fruits,
from plantations by bicycle first, before he got a motorcycle.
“Coming
from a small town and kampong, I knew what hardship was all about and was
always prudent and saved whatever I could for a rainy day.
“It is
not how much you earn, but how much you can safe. A father can give his son 1
million ringgit, but it will all come to naught if the son does not know how to
utilise the money well.”
Kim Seng
started playing football as a striker, as a kampong boy with estate players
near his home.
Chinese
educated at his primary school SRJK Simpan Morib and later at SM Sg Manggis
till Form Three and in SMK Telok Datuk, he first played for his school teams,
before turning out for the Kuala Langat District team in the Selangor premier
league.
It was
with the district team that Kim Seng was spotted by the late international
midfield maestro Wong Choon Wah, was who playing for Selangor Chinese
Recreation Club (SCRC), when playing in the league match in Banting.
Kim Seng
went on to play for Selangor schools in the Rahman Cup and Razak Cup and donned
national colours in the Asean Schools football championship for two years –
1981 in Jakarta and 1982 in Bangkok where he captained the team.
It was in
1984, that he was selected to the Selangor team and with a star-studded team
with the likes of the late Mokhtar Dahari, K. Rajagobal, Norbit Shah and other
notable names, he warmed the bench and only played one match against Armed
Forces.
Next
year, frustrated, he returned to just play in the Selangor league for SCRC. It
was here that late Chow Kwai Lam spotted him and took him to play for Kuala
Lumpur in late 1986.
See Kim Seng (right) in KL colours in defence with teammate Chow Siew
Yai
It was Dr
Josef Veglos who took charge of the KL team in 1987, that converted Kim Seng
from a striker to a defender. He played for KL till 1992 (wining the Malaysia
Cup for a record three times – 1987-1989), before moving to Negri Sembilan for
two years before he called it quits.
Kim Seng standing back row far right with KL Malaysia Cup team with their
trophies 1988 treble champions Malaysia Cup, League Cup and Charity
Shield
“I am
also glad that besides having done well in business, I have also educated my
children well and also got them involved in sports,” said Kim Seng proudly,
whose wife, Wong Show Mei was a Tanggak district volleyball player.
Kim Seng
with standing from left daughters See Min, See Mon, See Man and See
Won and seated from left wife Doris Wong Show Mei and youngest daughter
See Wye
While Kim
Seng admitted that he spends most of his time now at his seafood restaurant,
starting as early as 7am to buy the seafood from the fishing village and open
his shop from 11am to midnight.
His wife now manages the driving range besides her own business of cleaning services.
While Kim
Seng does not do the cooking and has hired experienced cooks, he is still busy
at the restaurant taking orders, managing the cash register and making sure the
food is served fast besides being the public relation man talking to his
customers.
Kim Seng
taking order at his restaurant
Kim Seng
keeps his prices very affordable because most of his customers are from Banting
and not all of them are doing well.
He also
sponsors one or two tables each other for poor families around the area working
with the Community Service centres.
And
despite his newfound clientele of bikers and more coming from outside Banting,
Kim Seng keeps his price very affordable to all, not compromising on his
portions or standards which he works hard to keep on improving.
Among his specialities and favourites among his customers are Pari Fish Curry, Fried sotong, Dried chilli chicken and Chilli Crab. He also has any array of other delicious dishes and also serves 'toddy' in one litre bottles sourced from the nearby coconut plantations.
Indeed a place worth the visit which is about one hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and if you avoid the highway passing through Klang, the drive through the kampung passing through Dengkil is a sight to behold.
Check out Attapka Seafood Restaurant. No regets, only joy and a full stomach.
Nestled in a shed of trees, the hut-styled seating
for privacy or for bigger groups at the main restaurant, it is Located at Lot
325, Jalan Pulau Banting, 42700, Banting, and open from 11.30am to 11.00pm.
