GEORGE TOWN: It is hard to believe that Omar Juree (pic), a person with disabilities (OKU), is such an accomplished woodcarver who creates models of the icons of Penang.

       Omar, 65, despite having his left foot and index finger on the right hand amputated due to diabetes and infection, has the passion to make wooden carvings of the famous ferry and Bukit Bendera train for sale.

       He said he lost his left foot when he was 40 years old, but that did not dampen his spirit and passion to keep on carving until today.

       "My finger had to be amputated due to a bacterial infection while doing carving work. My passion to produce handicrafts started during school days, but I seriously ventured into this when I was 27," he told Bernama at his home in Kampung Air Itam recently.

       "Previously, when I was residing in Taman Selat, Butterworth, I would commute via ferry daily to work on the island as a hotel supervisor.

       "While on the ferry, I have always admired the various ferries of Penang," he added.

       After moving to Penang island, Omar said he started building ferry replicas using manila card, but the models were not durable.

       "Then I tried with cardboard and plywood, and the result was better, and the models were stronger.

       "I also painted the ferry according to the actual colours for the feel of a real ferry," said Omar.

       With the help of his wife, 63-year-old wife Siti Fatimah Abu Bakar, Omar can take up to two weeks to complete a model which he then puts into a glass case.

       He said his Penang ferry models come in three sizes, namely 30cm, 76cm and the largest is at 122cm.

       "The main challenge to carving a ferry is to punch out the ferry windows. The process takes time, and is a test of my patience as each final product must look neat.

       Besides the ferry, Omar also carves models of the Bukit Bendera train using the same materials.

       He has even received orders from the Penang Hill Corporation for his trains to be exhibited at the Bukit Bendera museum.

       He said he also presented his replicas to former Penang football team coach, Irfan Bakti Abu Salim, and Penang's Moroccan player, Merzagua Abderrazak.

       "I also receive orders from individuals, corporate companies, and factories as souvenirs for friends both locally and abroad," he said.

       Omar has produced more than 500 models of the ferry and Bukit Bendera train replicas, and the cost of an artwork carving is between RM250 and RM800. - Bernama