15/06/2025

ON SUNDAY JUNE 15, 2025 theSunday Special V

Every birthday is a remembrance day for me. Dad passed away a day after my birthday, six years ago. Despite battling cancer, he embraced life with grit and humour. Our final wefie on my birthday is a treasured memory. I hope to face life’s end with the same courage and strength.” Carmen Tang, daughter in awe of dad’s strength and courage

A father’s voice never really leaves you. It echoes in your laugh, habits, even your stubbornness – until one day, you realise you’ve become a living tribute to the man who shaped you.”

When I was little, my dad would go, ‘Come sit here and listen to this,’ while he put on his favourite Kiss song. 20 years on and he’s still doing the same. Thank you Abah , music wouldn’t be the same without you.”

Ayah was a reserved man who led by example rather than words. His creativity and ingenuity amazed me, often MacGyvering things around the house to have them fixed. I may not have expressed it enough when he was around, but I truly love him; a genuine hero.”

Fairus Kassim, proud father of 3 girls

Zamani Wisam, digital investment promotion

Amirul Fadhli, television director

Dad was brilliant at maths – while I used to go to him to help solve my add math questions, I dreaded going to him after a while, because it always turned into me getting more math questions that he would test me on. But looking back, that was his way of teaching me: life won’t hand you answers, you’ve got to work things out yourself.”

Dad lives by his special forces’ ethos of ‘sentiasa yang terbaik’ – always give it your best. And growing up, with his job, we got uprooted a lot. That combo of always striving and being able to adapt is how I navigate everything life throws my way.”

Alia S, daughter of a retired military officer

Grace Liew, Business development lead and lifelong student of dad’s lessons