27/07/2026

MONDAY | JULY 27, 2026

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JOHOR BAHRU: The first thing that disappeared after the crash was the light. Masitah Mohd Afandy could still hear the commotion around her. She could feel the pain in her injured leg. But when she opened her eyes, there was only darkness. That moment on March 21, 2023, changed her life forever. The road crash not only claimed the life of one of her employees but also robbed the Johor entrepreneur of her sight. Yet, instead of allowing the tragedy to define her, Masitah rebuilt her life with remarkable resilience, transforming herself from a successful businesswoman into an inspiration for many navigating life’s toughest trials. Today, the 35-year-old CEO of NM Aircond Sdn Bhd continues to lead the company she co-founded with her husband Nik Nazri Abidin while also becoming a sought-after motivational speaker whose story resonates with audiences across the country. “Before the accident, I was obsessed with work. Out of 365 days in a year, I probably spent 360

Blindness no stumbling block for gritty entrepreneur

o Car crash survivor rebuilds life with remarkable resilience, transforming herself from successful businesswoman into inspiration for many navigating trials of life

Tahai is made from small fish sourced from coastal areas, which are dried by smoking under sunlight and charcoal before being processed into sambal using traditional methods. Although machines can speed up the preparation process, Mayziana continues to use a stone mortar to pound the sambal ingredients to preserve its authentic texture and smoky aroma. She said pandan kelupis is best enjoyed with sambal tahai , a combination that has long been favoured by communities in Limbang and Lawas. “The softness and richness of injuries. I was sitting in the front passenger seat and suffered severe injuries, particularly to the right side of my body, including my face.” The employee seated behind her became trapped in the wreckage and died in hospital the following day from severe injuries. “I was conscious the whole time and didn’t feel any pain except in my leg although my skull was fractured. My right eye had collapsed into its socket,” she recounted. Masitah underwent multiple surgeries on her head and leg. Surgeons inserted nine metal plates into her face and a metal implant into her right thigh. Even before doctors confirmed the extent of her injuries, she sensed something was terribly wrong. “I could hear everything but I couldn’t see anything. Later, my husband told me the doctors had informed him that my eyesight was deteriorating and that I might become blind. “My response was: ‘Oh, okay’”, she said, adding that her calm reaction surprised her family members and friends, some of whom thought it was abnormal. Rather than dwelling on the loss, Masitah accepted it as God’s will. During the 24 days she spent in hospital, she found herself comforting the very people who had come to console her. She said the real challenge only began after she returned home. Confined to a wheelchair because of her fractured thigh bone, she had to learn how to live in a world without sight. “I had to adapt to my new world. At first, I constantly felt dizzy, almost like seasickness. It felt as though I was floating and I couldn’t tell where the floor was. When someone pushed my wheelchair, I couldn’t even tell whether they were pushing or pulling it.” She relied on a wheelchair for eight months, Bernama reported. Gradually, about four months

after the incident, she began understanding her surroundings and rebuilding her independence. Everyday tasks that most people take for granted, such as bathing, dressing and even applying makeup, had to be learned all over again. “It wasn’t easy but it wasn’t impossible. Everything takes time and patience.” Determined to encourage others while motivating herself, Masitah began documenting her recovery journey on social media. The posts soon attracted widespread attention and established her as an inspirational figure. Yet, she describes another moment as the true turning point in her recovery. About eight months after the crash, in November 2023, she performed the umrah. “I told my husband that I wanted to touch the Kaabah because I could no longer see it. He was doubtful because I was still using a wheelchair and could barely walk. “But by Allah ’s grace, I was able to walk there and embrace the Kaabah ,“ she said. For Masitah, that experience marked the beginning of a new chapter. Today, she has resumed leading a fulfilling life while continuing to helm NM Aircond Sdn Bhd. Together with her husband, she is now planning to expand the business nationwide through a franchise model. Looking back, she believes the incident fundamentally changed her understanding of success and happiness. “When we see life’s trials as gifts from Allah, we become calmer and are able to appreciate, one by one, the wisdom behind every test Allah gives us. “We need to keep an open heart, accept it with sincerity and always have faith in Him. “If we see every trial as a burden, then it will always weigh heavily on our hearts,” she added.

The car, driven by one of her employees, veered off course before crashing into the rear of a lorry in the left lane of the North South Expressway near Ayer Keroh, Malacca. “The driver and the passenger seated behind escaped without

days in the office,” said the Johor born entrepreneur. That relentless routine came to an abrupt end when she and three employees were travelling home from Sabak Bernam in Selangor after attending an event at a community college.

Masitah and her husband Nik Nazri (centre) with some of their workers. – BERNAMAPIC

Northern Sarawak delicacy becomes better with addition of pandan KUCHING: For Mayziana Matzin, 40, kelupis is more than just a traditional glutinous rice delicacy. It is a heritage she hopes to preserve and introduce to a wider audience with a modern addition while retaining its original identity. been a staple during festive seasons, gatherings and when welcoming guests. Mayziana, a Kedayan from the heritage value behind every dish.” She said her pandan kelupis is prepared using Siamese glutinous rice and freshly squeezed coconut milk, resulting in a softer texture, richer flavour and brighter colour compared with regular kelupis . traditional delicacy associated with northern Sarawak. kelupis , combined with the aroma of pandan leaves, complements the smoky, salty and slightly spicy taste of sambal tahai , creating a unique blend of flavours.

Kampung Sibukang in Limbang, said the use of pandan leaves as a wrapper gives the delicacy a more fragrant aroma, while preserving its authentic taste. “Many people are only familiar with regular kelupis whereas pandan kelupis has its own uniqueness. The pandan leaves give it a more fragrant aroma, but the original taste of kelupis remains the same. “I want more people to know about the traditional food of northern Sarawak not only by enjoying it but also by understanding

“For the people of Limbang and Lawas, these two foods are not merely dishes but a perfect pairing often served at family events as a symbol of heritage that must be preserved.” Mayziana believes that traditional recipes, including pandan kelupis and tahai, have the potential to become gastronomic icons of northern Sarawak and attract the interest of visitors from within and outside the country. – Bernama

“Despite the variety of modern food available today, traditional dishes like kelupis still have a special place among members of the community. “The response towards pandan kelupis has been very encouraging, especially from customers outside Limbang, including Kuching.” Apart from kelupis , Buffet.Lab Food Services, which she started in 2018, also offers tahai , another

The owner of Buffet.Lab Food Services has introduced pandan kelupis as one of the signature items in her business, adding a new dimension to the traditional food synonymous with the Brunei Malay and Kedayan communities in northern Sarawak, particularly in Limbang and Lawas. Traditionally made from glutinous rice and coconut milk before being wrapped in leaves, kelupis has long