Couple who sponsored maid’s studies awarded

KUALA LUMPUR: A Malaysian couple who fully sponsored the tuition fees of their Indonesian maid’s diploma was recognised at the F&N Outdo Yourself Award (OYA).

Tan Choo Tang, 56, and wife Wee Phooi Kuan, 47, said they decided to help their maid, Sarmini Muhyadi, 28, to further her studies in management at the Open University Malaysia in the hope it would help improve her standard of living.

All the hard work paid off when Sarmini received her diploma last June and she is now holding a top post in a private company in Indonesia. Sarmini’s education cost RM5,000.

They were among the seven recipients who received the award presented by OYA’s patron Datuk Shahrir Abdul Samad at a ceremony yesterday.

Fraser and Neave Holdings Bhd chairman Tengku Syed Badarudin Jamalullail was also present.

The recipients each received RM5,000, a certificate, plaque and F&N products.

“We could tell that Sarmini had a lot of potential to succeed as she is a hardworking person.

“We supported her for four years so that she would not give up,” said Tan.

Another recipient, Jonathan Jobal, 14, saved his cousin who was trapped inside a burning house.

“This makes me more willing to help anyone in trouble,” he said.

For senior citizen Tey Chong Suan, 74, the award is the greatest gift she has ever received.

“It was my duty,” said Tey who bravely saved a boy from drowning in Muar, Johor.

F&N chief executive officer Datuk Ng Jui Sia described the recipients as exemplary role models.

Source: The Star Malaysia Online.