7/09/2025

NATIONAL 4 theSun on Sunday SEPT 7, 2025

Turning challenges, personal battles into triumphs

37 children adopted by

Socso since 2017 KUALA NERUS: Since 2017, the Terengganu Social Security Organisation (Socso) has adopted 37 children, aged four to 17, to safeguard their education, welfare and overall well-being. State director Suhara Mustaffa said the initiative would continue until the children turn 17. “Based on statistics, 25 children were adopted through the state Socso office, 10 through the Dungun Socso satellite office and another two through the Kemaman Socso office. Most of the adopted children were orphans whose parents were Socso contributors and who receive survivor’s pension or dependent’s benefits,” she said after a Corporate Social Responsibility event with the Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak Anak Yatim dan Miskin Darul Akhyar here yesterday. Suhara said the assistance includes school supplies such as uniforms, shoes, bags and other essential items at the start of each school session. “Aidilfitri preparation supplies were also provided. If they need tuition or other additional assistance, it would be considered,” she said. – Bernama Kuching included in airlines bonus programme KUCHING: The Sarawak Tourism Board (STB) said yesterday Kuching has been included as the eighth destination under Malaysia Airlines Bonus Side Trip (BST) programme, making it the only Bornean destination in the initiative. STB said the programme, offered exclusively by Malaysia Airlines, allows international travellers flying into Malaysia on international tickets to add an extra domestic destination at no additional fare, paying only the applicable taxes. “The inclusion in the BST programme reflects the strong partnership we have built with the Malaysia Aviation Group since the signing of our memorandum of understanding in 2024,” said STB CEO Sharzede Salleh in a statement. She said through this initiative, Sarawak is broadening its international reach and reinforcing its commitment to sustainable tourism growth in preparation for Visit Malaysia Year 2026. STB said Kuching’s inclusion positions Sarawak as the natural gateway to Borneo. – Bernama

With perseverance, support and courage, two UiTM students overcome obstacles to reach graduation dream

she found solace on stage. “Almost every semester, I felt like giving up. But studying Theatre gave me an outlet to release my stress. It became a form of healing for me.” Behind her success stood a support network – her family, lecturers and friends who believed in her. She credits two lecturers, Madam Umi and Mr Walid, for guiding her, and her best friend who went the extra mile to learn about her condition. “My best friend even researched my diagnosis so she could understand me better and help me through my studies. But stigma remains a painful reality,” she said. “It hurts me to see people making fun of my autistic friend. Although awareness exists, bullying still seems normalised, and that’s painful to witness,” said her friend.

yesterday as saying that police has not received any reports regarding the Johor-Singapore housing subsidy fraud following a warning issued by the Singapore Police Force (SPF). Singapore media reported that SPF had warned about a scam involving Johor-Singapore housing subsidies that were widely shared on Facebook. An individual allegedly found an advertisement with a link promoting the “JBSG Housing Subsidy Programme” or “Free Homes Across the Causeway” on the platform. – Bernama Looking forward, NurQistina hopes to turn her experience into purpose. “I want to show others that having these diagnoses doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your goals. “Being different is powerful.” For fellow graduate Megat Luqman Hakim Adzmin, 22, the journey was about stepping out of his mother’s shadow and finding his own path. His mother, entertainer Raja Azura, is a household name but Megat never wanted to be defined by her fame. “Whenever I introduced myself, I never mentioned who my mother is. People just knew me as Megat.” It was not until later in university that some classmates recognised his identity. “Some grew distant but I did not take it to heart. “My mother always told me to be humble and be friends with everyone. “If people choose to walk away, that’s their choice and I respect that.” He recounted a turning point during his third semester when his grandfather fell critically ill. “He once told me: ‘People say you won’t have a future, but trust me, you will. Just promise me you’ll graduate and get that square hat (mortar board) first’. That promise kept me going. “My mum has done a wonderful job as a single mother. Today, this graduation robe isn’t just for me, it’s for her.” While many assume being the son of a well-known figure gave him an advantage, Megat is quick to dismiss it. “That’s her career. At the end of the day, she’s my mother and I’m just me.” Different as their paths may be, both NurQistina and Megat share the same lesson – with perseverance, support and courage, challenges can be turned into triumphs.

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

often struggling to keep up in class, and facing peers who did not understand her condition. When I first learned about my diagnosis, I finally understood why I felt different from others,” she said. But school life was not always kind. “When I couldn’t understand something right away, I was often called ‘dumb’ or ‘slow’, which was hurtful. “But I tried to shake it off and focus on doing my best,” said the Theatre graduate. The constant pressure, difficulty in communication and episodes of depression almost drove her to quit. Yet,

SHAH ALAM: Graduation is often seen as a milestone of achievement, but for two Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) students, it is far more than that – a story of resilience, healing and quiet strength to overcome personal battles. For 22-year-old NurQistina Safea Mohd Rashidi, the journey to the convocation hall was a triumph years in the making. Diagnosed with mild autism and dyslexia from a young age, she grew up feeling different,

NurQistina being congratulated by her parents after the convocation ceremony. – ADAM AMIR HAMZAH/THESUN

No offer of subsidy, free houses to foreigners: Exco JOHOR BAHRU: The Johor

until 2026 with a target of building 500 units. He said the initiative was to ensure that hardcore poor families get a secure place to live. He added that as of last June, 17,745 affordable housing units with a price range of between RM42,000 and RM300,000 had been handed over to the people. This shows that the state government is consistent and that housing is a priority for its people, in line with the Maju Johor 2030 aspiration. Johor police chief CP Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad was quoted

and ensure that affordable housing is always a priority for the people of Johor,“ he said. He added that 19 cases of scams involving affordable housing in Johor with losses of about RM155,000 that had been reported previously should serve as a reminder for the people to be more vigilant against dubious offers and to refer to official state government channels. Mohd Jafni said free houses in Johor are only given to the hardcore poor under the Rumah Kasih Johor initiative, for which RM67.5 million has been allocated

government has stressed that it has never and will not offer subsidies or free houses to foreigners, including Singaporeans. State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said reports that there were such offers were untrue and a scam. He said this was because the state government had set a floor price of RM1 million for house purchases by foreigners. “This policy remains a measure to protect the interests of locals