In an attempt to put food on the table and take care of his 3-year-old daughter, this Malaysian single father has made a bold decision to move to Kuala Lumpur for better work opportunities.
Single father leaving home with RM90 for his daughter
At only 26, Muhammad Amjad Jamaludin has endured challenges many people face decades later. Earlier this year, he separated from his wife on the second day of Hari Raya, and shortly after, he moved to Kuala Lumpur with nothing but RM90 in his pocket. Despite the challenges, he refused to dwell on regret, viewing each obstacle as part of his life’s path and destiny.
Now a single father to his three year old daughter, Ayla Sofea, Muhammad Amjad left her in the care of his family while he sought work in the city. His story recently caught the public’s attention after he posted a photo of himself sitting alone at a vegetable stall, describing it as the lowest point in his life.
The post quickly drew outpourings of support, with many online praising his determination and praying for his circumstances to improve.
Taking on any job to survive
To survive, Muhammad Amjad has taken on a wide range of jobs. He has worked at a car wash, painted vehicles, assisted with his family’s night market business and labored at a courier warehouse. Being the youngest of three siblings, he felt the need to challenge himself and left home to carve out a new life with minimal savings.
His persistence eventually paid off when he secured a position as a production operator at a factory in Subang Bestari, Shah Alam, where he has been employed for roughly a year. Before moving to KL, he helped his family manage their small business, including running a food stall and night market operations. Rising rental costs and the unpredictability of small enterprises, however, forced the business to close.
Putting his daughter first
The 26-year-old single father explained that the viral photo captured one of his toughest moments, when he and his family could only sell vegetables such as long beans and spinach. The earnings were barely sufficient to cover basic necessities and fertiliser. He had not intended to go viral; he simply wanted to share a personal story, but the response from netizens, including those from Indonesia, was overwhelming.
Despite all the hardships, his priority remains his daughter.
“I can manage with eating once a day, but I can’t let my child go hungry,” he said.
Currently, he rents a room in the city, and his mother helps care for Ayla, even while dealing with her own health problems.
Looking ahead, Muhammad Amjad hopes to one day operate his own business again, aiming to lift his family out of financial difficulty. He reflects on his journey with gratitude, saying, “I don’t regret any of it because I believe everything I’ve faced is part of the journey and fate that God has set for me.”
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