🤍 Those Who Stayed
Throughout my life, I have been fortunate to meet many wonderful people through work, education, writing, and community service.
But when life became difficult, it was not titles, positions, or achievements that stood beside me.
It was family.
They were there through seasons of uncertainty, during hospital stays, and through moments when strength felt difficult to find. Their support was often quiet, unseen by others, yet deeply felt.
Many of the stories shared on this website reflect different chapters of my journey. This photograph is a reminder that none of those chapters were written alone.
Behind every milestone is a family who loved, encouraged, and carried me through more than words can fully express.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
🤍 The First Teachers
Long before I became a teacher, a researcher, trainer, writer, or speaker, I was first a student in the home of two educators.
My father, Cikgu Haji Alfan, a teacher of Malay Literature, nurtured in me an appreciation for stories, language, and the power of words. Through him, I learned that literature is not merely something to be studied, but something to be felt, reflected upon, and carried through life.
My mother, Cikgu Hajah Umi Kalthum planted the seeds of a lifelong love for books. Before I was even old enough to attend school, she would bring me to the library at her school, allowing me to wander among shelves filled with stories. At home, bedtime was often accompanied by storybooks and the gentle rhythm of reading together. Those moments became some of my earliest and most treasured memories.
Today, I find myself continuing many of those same traditions with my own children. The love of reading, learning, and reflection that was generously given to me is now something I hope to pass on to the next generation.
When people ask about my achievements, qualifications, or professional journey, I often think back to these beginnings. The values of curiosity, learning, perseverance, and compassion were first taught not in a classroom or lecture hall, but at home.
Their guidance, sacrifices, and unwavering belief in education helped shape the person I am today. Whatever I have been able to accomplish has been built upon the foundation they lovingly laid.
