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In a remarkable act of generosity, the family of a late civil servant recently revealed he left a RM1 million estate donation to fund scholarships for underprivileged students pursuing higher education
Born in Pahang in the 1940s, he grew up in a household strained by the early loss of his father.
Raised by a single mother who juggled odd jobs to support her three children, he was the only one who could stay in school, while his two older siblings left early to ease the family's financial burden.
Even so, his education was far from easy.
Throughout school and university, he lived in cramped shared rooms, relied on neighbours and strangers when money ran short, and sometimes slept on shop floors just to get through the semester.
He eventually earned a degree from Universiti Malaya (UM) and went on to begin a career as a civil servant.
According to his family, despite the stability he eventually found, he never forgot the people who helped him and hoped to one day do the same for someone else.
Before he passed away this year, he arranged a planned estate donation of RM1 million to Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman (YTAR), establishing the Tunku Community Legacy Fund, the foundation's first memorial scholarship fund dedicated to supporting high-need, high-potential students.
His contribution has launched the fund's inaugural cycle, supporting seven students whose stories reflect the challenges he once faced
Among them is Muhammad Ariff Shuqran Ismail, the second youngest in a family of eight from Perlis.
Financial strain forced Muhammad Ariff to leave his diploma studies, and he spent six years working various jobs, including a stint as a Grab driver, before returning to education. He is now pursuing a degree in Malay Literature at UM, following in the donor's academic footsteps.
Another recipient, Chew Cai San, comes from an Orang Asli community and is only the second in her family to enter higher education.
Driven by her interest in psychology and mental health, she is studying Guidance and Counselling at Institut Pendidikan Guru (IPG) Kampus Tengku Ampuan Afzan.
The remaining scholars also come from financially challenging backgrounds, united by strong academic motivation and a determination to build better futures, the very qualities the donor hoped to support, according to YTAR.
Datin Sri Sharifah Menyalara Hussein, YTAR chairperson and granddaughter of Malaysia's first prime minister, said the donation reflects the spirit of generosity her grandfather championed
"This gift carries forward the spirit of giving that defined my grandfather's life. Our donor's legacy will extend far beyond these seven young Malaysians," she was quoted as saying by the New Straits Times.
She added that the fund is open for year-round contributions, and YTAR welcomes discussions with Malaysians interested in leaving a similar legacy.
