Once a scrap metal labourer, now this Malaysian is a neurosurgeon

Dr Moventhiran (extreme left) says his early struggles as a labourer taught him discipline and determination – values that continue to guide him as a surgeon. Photo: Instagram/Abanghijauofficial

Working as a part-time labourer in Form One is not something most children experience.

But for Selangor-based neurosurgeon Dr Moventhiran Ramakrishnan, it was simply part of growing up.

Dr Moventhiran (centre) remembers his parents, Ramakrishnan Kuppusamy (right) and Bangarama Subramaniam (left), whose perseverance and sacrifices fuelled his determination to succeed. Photo: Dr Moventhiran RamakrishnanRaised in the fishing port town of Kuala Kedah, Kedah, Dr Moventhiran's father worked as a lorry driver while his mother juggled two jobs - as a domestic helper and a hospital cleaner - to make ends meet.

At the time, the family's household income was just RM600 a month.

"We stayed in a rented low-cost house in Taman Bersatu in Kuala Kedah. Money was very tight.

"We could only afford meals like rice with rasam (a South Indian spiced soup) and sardine, or rice with soy sauce and a fried egg," recalls Dr Moventhiran, 39, during a recent interview from Klang, Selangor.

"I had to take on part-time work to help with expenses and to buy reference books and stationery for school. I knew my parents couldn't afford them.

"Back then, my parents could only buy Kentucky Fried Chicken for me when I got first place in class. Second place? No KFC," he says with a laugh.

From an early age, Dr Moventhiran knew education was his only way out of the poverty cycle.

"When I was 13, I worked as a labourer in a rice factory during the school holidays. When I was 15, I worked part-time at a scrap metal factory, carrying heavy loads of metal. I was paid RM2.50 an hour," he remembers.

"I knew that if I didn't study hard, I'd work as a labourer for the rest of my life. My father always reminded me that if I wanted a better life, I had to study hard."

Dr Moventhiran with his wife, Dr Yesotha Taramaraja, and their two-year-old daughter, Laarashvie.

And that was exactly what he did.

Burning the midnight oil and relying largely on self-study, Dr Moventhiran scored 9As in his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations and a perfect Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.0 during his matriculation studies at Kolej Matrikulasi Pulau Pinang in Penang.

He later pursued a medical degree at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) in Kota Kinabalu, before completing his masters in neurosurgery at Universiti Sains Malaysia in Penang.

Today, Dr Moventhiran is head of the neurosurgery unit at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah in Klang. He leads a team of 25, comprising neurosurgeons, medical officers and nurses, managing a wide range of neurological, brain, spine and nerve-related conditions.

"Given my background, I never imagined I'd even have an office job," he says candidly. "Who would have thought I’d become a surgeon one day, treating patients from all walks of life?"

True grit

Dr Moventhiran's story is a powerful reminder that background does not define destiny.

"It's important to have the drive to want to do better in life," says Dr Moventhiran. "And the only way forward is through education. My strength was determination - the desire to improve my life and break the cycle of poverty. That's what drove me."

Dr Moventhiran worked part-time from a young age to fund his studies, believing education was his only way out.He credits much of his success to the support he received during his schooling years at SMK Dato' Syed Omar in Alor Setar.

"I was blessed to have teachers who saw my potential. They gave me reading materials and even bought books for me because they knew my parents couldn't afford them," recalls Dr Moventhiran, the elder of two siblings.

Throughout the interview, the jovial doctor spoke eloquently and without airs. It is hard to imagine that he once struggled with English in school.

"Would you believe that for SPM, I studied everything without tuition - except English?" he laughs.

"I was a Malay debater in high school, but my English was 'koyak' (bad). I used to feel shy because I couldn't speak the language well. Thankfully, by reading English books, my command of the language gradually improved."

Dr Moventhiran now encourages students, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to go the extra mile in pursuing their dreams.

"Never give up, even when the future looks bleak. If you need help with your studies, ask your teachers. They are always there to help," he says.

He also recalls a turning point in 2006, when Ooli Gunalan Manickam, then an administrative and diplomatic officer in Alor Setar (now deputy director-general (management) at the National Registration Department under the Home Affairs Ministry), stepped in to help.

"He started a fund to pay for my airfare and first semester expenses to study medicine in UMS," says Dr Moventhiran. "Without his help, my parents could never have afforded to send me to Kota Kinabalu. And I would never have become a doctor."

His entire university education was funded through scholarships and financial aid - a fact that continues to shape his outlook on life.

"Now it's my turn to give back to society," says the cheerful surgeon.

Even a neurosurgeon needs a kick – Dr Moventhiran (left) relaxes by playing football in his free time. Photo: Instagram/Abanghijauofficial

Dr Moventhiran currently lives in Taman Dagang, Ampang in Selangor and spends between 60 and 90 minutes commuting daily to Klang, depending on traffic.

His workdays often stretch beyond 10-12 hours, dealing with emergency cases involving accidents, tumours, spinal injuries and strokes, in addition to administrative and training responsibilities as the unit's head.

"I love my job. I truly want to help people," he says. "Saving lives and seeing patients recover and return to their daily routines - that’s the most fulfilling part of what I do," says Dr Moventhiran, who enjoys playing football and touch rugby during his free time.

A devoted father to two-year-old Laarashvie, Dr Moventhiran hopes that one day she will understand the sacrifices behind his long hours and demanding career.

"And if I push her to study, she'll know why," he says with a smile. "But one thing is certain - KFC won't just be a reward for coming first in class," he concludes.