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LONG before most people wake up and the sun rises over Gaya Street, one familiar figure is already on the move. 

Known fondly as “Aunty Newspaper”, the 77-year-old woman from Kolombong has been selling newspapers for the past 22 years, faithfully serving her longtime customers without fail.

A single woman with a strong spirit and desire to keep working, she begins her day at 4am, driving into the city to collect stacks of newspapers from her supplier. 

By 4.30am, she had parked opposite the Sabah Tourism Board building, where her car transforms into a mobile newsstand.

She normally finishes by 9am. The Gaya Street area is always busy and well-lit, so she feels safe there.

Rain or shine, she would be there, greeting passersby with a smile and a newspaper in hand.

“I’ve been working all my life.

What else can I do? I can’t just sit at home doing nothing. I’m used to working, and I enjoy it because I get to see people walking around.”

Despite her age, she doesn’t act like an elderly person. She chats with anyone who starts a conversation, and she responds warmly, including to the writer.

Though she was reserved at first, once she realised there was genuine interest in her story, she began sharing details willingly.

Even though fewer people buy newspapers these days, she continues her job, keeping the tradition alive.

She noted that the younger generation no longer values print and prefers to read the news on their phones.

Her earnings are modest, just 30 sen per paper, and believed she is now the last newspaper vendor operating in the city centre.

But for her, it’s not about profit. It’s about purpose.

“I may not make much, but this is my life.

As long as I can still drive and stand, I’ll be here.”

She shared that she sells 39 copies of the Daily Express, together with varying numbers of other papers. 

When asked why the number wasn’t rounded to 40 or 50, her explanation was puzzling, perhaps a personal habit or a supplier’s decision.

She doesn’t always manage to sell all her newspapers, but she’s used to it.

Today, most people read news on their phones and move on quickly. But “Aunty Newspaper” shows true dedication by following her daily routine, working hard, and keeping the old habit of selling printed newspapers alive.