Latest news with #Jamilah
The Star
07-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Author's 18th book explores realities of balancing careers and motherhood
Prof Jamilah (seated, centre) signing her book at the pre-launch event. — RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star Author of To Have It All: Within the Changing World of Work, Economy and Society Puan Sri Prof Dr Jamilah Ariffin says her 18th book aims to raise awareness on what women in the past had to endure. The idea of the book, she said, was inspired by global demographic trends, focusing on real-life challenges faced by modern parents, particularly working mothers as they strove to balance career and family responsibilities. 'In the 1970s and 1980s, policies supporting working mothers such as mandatory childcare centres in government departments and tax relief incentives from private companies made it possible for women to work while raising families. 'Nowadays, such systems are rare and today's work structures and cost of living have resulted in women refusing marriage or opting for a child-free marriage. 'Malaysia has gone below the replacement level (fertility rate), from 2.1 down to 1.7 children per woman,' she said at a press conference during the pre-launch of the book. Published by I-Resolve Foundation, the book features 20 narrators – professional Malaysian women from diverse fields – and includes a foreword by Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. Almaz Salma is among the 20 narrators in the book by Prof Jamilah. Among the contributors is Almaz Salma Abdul Rahim, 67, an architect and mother of four who continues to work. 'I have never once regretted my decision of choosing to build a career and raise my children, even if it meant giving up my social life,' Almaz Salma told StarMetro. 'With the right mindset, managing a family and children while having a career to focus on is achievable.' Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who was present at the event, extended her congratulations to Prof Jamilah for bringing women from such diverse backgrounds together for the publication. 'It is not an easy task, especially when all coordination was done by Prof Jamilah herself. This is a remarkable achievement. 'It is important that we document the struggles and triumphs of those who came before us. 'I hope Prof Jamilah will consider making the book available online for easier access and reference,' said Yeoh. The book was officially launched at another event by the Prime Minister's wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, in Kuala Lumpur. Reflecting on the theme, Dr Wan Azizah, who is also Bandar Tun Razak MP, said the title spoke not only to professional success but to fulfilment in marriage, motherhood and family life. 'By reading this book, young career women can learn how to overcome the challenges that women of my generation had to endure. 'It speaks to a broad audience, from grandparents hoping for their grand-children's success to fathers who wish to see their daughters thrive, to policymakers working towards better childcare legislation and educators striving to motivate children to excel in all areas of life,' she said.
Daily Express
02-07-2025
- General
- Daily Express
Two Sabahans in book on Malaysia's top women
Published on: Wednesday, July 02, 2025 Published on: Wed, Jul 02, 2025 Text Size: From right: Adeline, Dr Jamilah, Wan Azizah and Patricia Yapp. Kota Kinabalu: Two prominent Sabahans have been recognised as among Malaysia's top achievers in a new book that explores how successful women balance career, marriage and motherhood. Former Sabah State Library Director cum and Malaysia's first female President of both the Kota Kinabalu and Sandakan Municipal Councils, Datuk Adeline Leong, joins Lt Colonel Patricia Yapp from Sandakan, the country's first female jet fighter pilot, as featured personalities in 'To Have It All' by Professor Puan Sri Paduka Dr Jamilah Ariffin. The book profiles 20 accomplished Malaysian women from diverse fields, including politics, academia, business, civil service, medicine, military and law enforcement. Notable figures include Federal Minister of Youth and Sports Hannah Yeoh, former High Court Judge Tan Sri Datuk Zainun Ali and Malaysia's first female Major General Datuk Major General Fadzlette Othman Merican. Author Prof Jamilah, a Development Studies expert from University of Malaya who has penned 17 books on women's development, brings unique insights from her academic work and community service. During her 17 years in Johor, she established 66 daycare centres for children with disabilities and training programmes for single mothers. The book addresses a pressing national concern Malaysia's declining birth rate, which has reportedly dropped to 1.6 children per woman well below the 2.1 replacement level needed to sustain population growth. Jamilah attributes this trend to changing life priorities, with motherhood becoming a choice rather than expectation, preferences for smaller families and rising infertility rates. 'To Have It All' offers practical guidance on managing work-life balance, stress management and the importance of family support systems. The author draws comparisons between successful Malaysian women and their counterparts in the United States, China and Hong Kong. The book targets a broad readership, including policymakers, educators, employers, researchers, parents and young women aspiring to excel in their careers while maintaining family life. The book is available through I-Resolve Foundation at iresolvefoundation@gmail .com * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
Borneo Post
11-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
MAF Borneo to open two new Teratak Kasih Tok Nan Centres in Sarawak, Sabah for HIV patients
Jamilah receives the zakat contribution from Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak Distribution Division Head Mohd Shukri (fourth right) during the MAF Borneo Branch Aidilfitri Open House and Zakat Cheque Presentation Ceremony at TKTN, Jalan Crookshank today. Also seen are Dr Ruziana (second right), MAF Honorary Secretary Dr Zaiton Yahaya (third right) and others. KUCHING (May 11): The Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) Borneo Branch is planning to establish two additional Teratak Kasih Tok Nan (TKTN) centres in Sarawak and Sabah this year to further extend aid and support to communities in need, particularly individuals living with HIV and AIDS. Its patron, Datin Patinggi Datuk Amar Jamilah Anu, said the new centres are part of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare access and community assistance in both states. 'As the patron of MAF Borneo Branch for Sarawak and Sabah, we intend to establish one more TKTN in Bintulu and another in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. 'God willing, we aim to implement both within this year or at the latest by next year, but the establishment of the TKTN in Bintulu is almost certain to be carried out this year,' she told reporters after officiating the MAF Borneo Branch Aidilfitri Open House and Zakat Cheque Presentation Ceremony at TKTN, Jalan Crookshank here today. According to Jamilah, they will work with various parties including government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local communities to realise this effort. 'We will strive to raise the necessary funds to ensure the successful establishment of these centres,' she said. Meanwhile, Jamilah also expressed her appreciation to the Sarawak government for its strong support for MAF and TKTN over the years, including the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS) through the Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak (TBS), which has continuously contributed to their cause. 'Last year, MIS through TBS contributed RM200,000, and this year it has increased to RM300,000. Alhamdulillah, this contribution has greatly helped many in our community, especially Muslims, in supporting their treatment and recovery,' she said. According to Jamilah, the contribution not only motivates patients but also helps reduce the stigma often associated with them. 'We do not want them to continue being marginalised or burdened by stigma. At the very least, with support like this, they have a chance to recover and return to living a normal life,' she said. In this regard, she urged more parties to come forward to help, not just financially, but also by providing moral and social support. 'We hope more people will come together to contribute to the welfare of the community, especially HIV and AIDS patients who deserve a chance to rebuild their lives,' she said. Meanwhile, TKTN Chairperson Dr Ruziana Miss said the centre was established as a tribute to the late former Sarawak Chief Minister, Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, and has been operational since 2016 before being officially launched in 2017. 'The role of TKTN has now expanded. In addition to providing temporary accommodation, it also offers travel subsidies through the Sarawak Health Access Programme. 'This subsidy is crucial because there is no other specific assistance of this kind from other parties. Many patients cannot afford travel expenses for regular treatments, especially those newly diagnosed and are no longer working,' she explained. Earlier, MAF Sarawak Branch received a zakat contribution totaling RM300,000 from the Sarawak Islamic Council (MIS), specifically to support aid programs for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Sarawak. More than 200 guests including PLHIV, community activists, healthcare workers, and strategic partners from across Sarawak and Sabah attended the MAF Borneo Branch's Aidilfitri Open House today. healthcare HIV/AIDS Malaysian AIDS Foundation Teratak Kasih Tok Nan
Rakyat Post
29-04-2025
- Rakyat Post
Gone But Not Forgotten – Bukit Kepong's Final Witness Dies
Subscribe to our FREE Jamilah Abu Bakar, the last survivor of the harrowing Bukit Kepong tragedy, has died at her home in Taman Skudai Kanan, Johor Bahru, on Monday morning (28 April). She was 78 years old. According to a report by Her youngest child, 46-year-old Raja Zamzura Raja Buntat said her mother was showing signs of weakness over the past few days as she had lost her appetite. 'Mother had diabetes, but she had not been particularly ill these past few days. She had just been eating and drinking less. We noticed the changes, she was tired and weak last night, and then she passed away this morning. 'All of us siblings were by her side when she drew her final breath,' she said at the Bukit Aliff Muslim Cemetary yesterday. Jamilah's remains were laid to rest the Bukit Aliff Muslim Cemetary where her father, Constable Abu Bakar Daud, who died in September 1979, is also buried. Abu Bakar was a marine policeman at the Bukit Kepong police station and was among those who were severely wounded during the incident. Jamilah witnessed her family getting shot and killed by Communists Jamilah was said to have witnessed the Communist attack that claimed the lives of her own mother, Fatimah Yaaba, and her younger brother Hussin. According to Raja Zamzura, her mother was also shot in the arm. She added that Fatimah and Hussin were also burned. They were laid to rest at the Bukit Kepong war memorial. Raja Zamzura added that her mother would be invited to Bukit Kepong every year for the Bukit Kepong commemoration ceremony. 'Mother kept photographs and would often recount the incident. Every year, the police would invite her to attend the ceremony,' she said. Communist attack on the Bukit Kepong police station The Bukit Kepong incident was a key event during the Malayan Emergency, a guerilla war between British colonial forces (and later the independent Malayan government) and communist insurgents in Malaya from 1948 to 1960. In the early hours of 23 February, 1950, the remote police outpost was surrounded and attacked by communist insurgents. The wooden station was located on the river banks of the Muar river, about 59km from Muar, Johor. Image: Facebook | Bukit Kepong 55K Around 25 officers from the Federation of Malaya Police, mainly comprised of Malay policemen, made up the Bukit Kepong police station forces. Meanwhile, an estimated 180 communist guerillas from the Malayan Communist Party (MCP) was on the attacking side. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the police officers put up a strong and brave defense for several hours. The attackers tried to force the policement to surrender several times, without success. Eventually, the building was set on fire, and many defenders were killed either during the battle, or after being overwhelmed. Fourteen police officers and five auxiliary policemen, along with several of their family members who helped defend the station were killed. The communists also suffered an unknown number of casualties, though it's believed several insurgents were killed or wounded. The Malayan Emergency On 16 June, 1948, British Commonwealth forces (later the Malayan government) were at war with a communist insurgency led by the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), who aimed to overthrow British colonial rule and establish a communist state in Malaya. Muhammad Indera, also known as Mat Indera, leader of the MCP. Image: Facebook | Persatuan Bangsa Johor The MCP were largely composed of ethnic Chinese guerillas and made up the armed wing of the MCP called the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA). They used guerilla warfare, applying tactics like ambushes, sabotage, and assassinations. The British responded with counterinsurgency tactics like the Briggs Plan – relocating rural Chinese communities into 'new villages' to cut communist guerillas off from local support. Why did the Malayan emergency happen? Well, it was due to a mix of political, economic, and social tensions in post-World War II Malaya. After the Japanese occupation (1942-1945) ended, the British returned to a war-torn and unstable Malaya. The economy, especially the rubber and tin industries, were in bad shape. Workers faced poor conditions and rising prices, leading to strikes and unrest, often influenced by leftist or communist unions. The MCP had gained popularity for resisting the Japanese during World War II through the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and after the war, they saw a chance to take power and reshape Malaya as a communist republic. They then started organising strikes, protests, and assassinations of British officials and local opponents. Police talking to an old Malayan for information on communist bandits in the area. Image: Bert Hardy, Wikimedia Commons The British were keen to restore order and protect their economic interests, which were the rubber and tin industries as well as trade routes. In June 1948, after the murder of several European plantation managers, the British declared a state of emergency and banned the MCP. In summary, the Malayan Emergency happened because the MCP tried to seize power amid the chaos of the post-war years, but the British and later Malayan governments responded with military and political strategies to crush the rebellion. A movie titled 'Bukit Kepong' chronicling the events of the conflict was released in 1981. It was produced and directed by veteran filmmaker Tan Sri Jins Shamsuddin, who portrayed Sergeant Jamil Mohd Shah, one of the officers involved in the Bukit Kepong tragedy. Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
New Straits Times
29-04-2025
- New Straits Times
Last survivor of Bukit Kepong incident dies
JOHOR BARU: The last survivor of the bloody Bukit Kepong tragedy, Jamilah Abu Bakar, 78, drew her final breath at her home in Taman Skudai Kanan here yesterday morning. Jamilah, who was three years old during the brutal Communist attack on the Bukit Kepong police station on Feb 23, 1950, died of old age at around 9.36am. Her youngest child, Raja Zamzura Raja Buntat, 46, said her mother had shown signs of weakness over the past few days as she had lost her appetite. "Mother had diabetes, but she had not been particularly ill these past few days, she had just been eating and drinking less. "We noticed the changes, she was tired and weak last night, and then passed away this morning. "All of us siblings were by her side when she drew her final breath," she said when met at the Bukit Aliff Muslim Cemetery yesterday. Jamilah's remains were laid to rest at the Bukit Aliff Muslim Cemetery yesterday afternoon, where her father, Constable Abu Bakar Daud, who died in September 1979, is also buried. Abu Bakar was a marine policeman at Bukit Kepong police station and was among those severely wounded during the tragic incident. Nevertheless, he continued serving with the force until his death. Asked further about the Bukit Kepong incident, Raja Zamzura said her mother still vividly remembered the Communist attack that claimed the lives of her own mother, Fatimah Yaaba, and her younger brother, Hussin, as it happened before her eyes. "Mother actually witnessed how her father, mother and brother were shot. She was also shot in the arm. "She saw her mother and brother being burned as well. They died at the scene. "Only their ashes remained and were buried at Pusara Pejuang Bukit Kepong," she said. Raja Zamzura said that every year, her mother would be invited to Bukit Kepong for the Bukit Kepong commemoration ceremony. "Mother kept photographs and would often recount the incident. Every year, the police would invite her to attend the ceremony," she said.
