But it’s not just the space that tells a story. The daring 25-year-old even dresses in vintage clothes, a striking reflection of history, catching many by surprise.

Going by the social media username “oldtimeinterpreter”, one of his main hobbies is re-enacting Malaysian history by wearing period costumes.

This fresh graduate who grew up in Putrajaya but is originally from Pahang, has a clear mission: to champion the country’s heritage.

“One piece of vintage clothing has 10,000 stories. I want us to highlight the value of our country’s cultural heritage through fashion,” he told FMT Lifestyle.

He was only nine years old when his interest in history was sparked by his grandmother, who told him stories of her life and what it was like in pre-independence days.

“When my grandmother passed away, I had the urge to carry on my passion for history in my own way and bring it to the public.”

Years later, after meeting like-minded individuals, Alif became a member of Persatuan Reka Ulang Sejarah, an NGO that brings Malaysia’s history to life through re-enactments.

“Those unfamiliar with or uninterested in history may view this as strange, like we’re a bunch of weirdos, but it’s not really that,” he explained.

The group is often invited to museums, schools, and various events.

During these visits, they have donned, for example, the uniforms of soldiers from The Malay Regiment at Haig Lines, Port Dickson (1936), as well as Malay warrior combat attire dating from the 1700s to early 1800s.

He explained that while many children are startled at first by the look of these period costumes, these encounters have also helped ignite their interest in history.

Learning history from textbooks alone can be tedious, he said. “So we have our own way of capturing people’s attention, through visualisation.”

Alif’s hobbies, however, aren’t limited to the NGO’s activities. He also conducts his own research and shares educational content through his Instagram page. For instance, he recently uploaded videos demonstrating the different traditional ways of tying the samping.

And he makes no effort to hide his passion. In fact, his Raya outfit this year featured the traditional Malay headgear known as the “Tanjak Lang Menyongsong Angin” from Pahang, paired with a unique keris “hulu patah tiga”.

He owns several pieces of traditional vintage clothing, including a rare Songket Tenun Pahang Diraja, and even recreations he had custom-tailored based on his own historical research.

“We don’t see many of these kinds of attire today,” Alif said.

“I don’t see this as just fashion, but as history,” he said. “In my opinion, if we simply collect and keep these vintage clothes in our homes, it doesn’t really help preserve our heritage.”

He said wearing vintage attire in public was a chance to show the world Malaysia’s culture and history. “I believe this is something every Malaysian can contribute to.”

Alif believes vintage apparel can make a comeback if embraced collectively, keeping the country’s heritage alive in today’s fast-moving world.

He explained that fashion reveals much about the past – particularly the migratory nature of cultures in earlier times.

“We have a very cosmopolitan history, with many global influences,” he said.

“People often argue when trying to claim certain costumes as originating from their own countries, but this is often the result of not fully understanding history.”

Alif hopes his efforts will encourage others to follow suit in preserving and embracing Malaysian heritage.

“I hope that despite the fast-paced world we live in, and our struggle to survive, history is not forgotten.”

Follow Oldtimeinterpreter on Instagram.