Losing both parents at a young age left 20-year-old Intan Nazura feeling lost and alone. But when she needed someone the most, her late father’s former Chinese employer and her family stepped in, giving her not just a place to stay, but a family she could lean on.
From employer to “mum”
Intan Nazura lost her mother when she was still young and was raised mainly by her father. When he passed away last year, she suddenly found herself without the person she had depended on all her life.
That was when her father’s former employer, 65-year-old Pang Sin Lian, and her family offered her a helping hand.
They welcomed Intan into their home and continued letting her stay with them, while making sure she had someone by her side as she dealt with the loss of her father.
Over time, the relationship between Intan and Pang grew into something much more personal, almost like a mother and daughter. Despite having no blood relation and coming from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, the two found a special bond in each other.
Working part-time to support herself
Rather than wanting to burden the family that had taken her in, Indana has been doing her best to support herself.
She took on part-time jobs during her free time to earn money for her daily expenses while continuing to focus on her studies.
Her hard work eventually paid off, she scored an impressive 3.92 in STPM and is now preparing to begin her university journey.
A new chapter at UUM
Intan will report to Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) on Sept 15, where she will pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics.
While she is excited about starting university, she also knows that a new chapter comes with new expenses, from tuition fees and food to other daily costs.
The university recently learned about her story during a visit under its “Madani Care Visit” programme, where Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Bakti Hasan and his team met Intan and Pang in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.
Several UUM departments have since joined hands to provide financial assistance to Intan, with the hope of easing some of the pressure as she begins university.
For Intan, what started as her father’s employer offering a helping hand has grown into a relationship that goes far beyond work.
She may have lost her parents, but along the way, she found another family willing to stand by her.
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