KUANTAN: Driven by determination and hope, a young Orang Asli woman from the Jakun tribe has earned a place to study economics at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom, marking a significant step forward in her mission to drive change in her community.
Roziana Tan Beng Hai, 20, who scored a perfect 4.0 CGPA in the 2024 Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) examination, said she chose to pursue economics and social studies with the ambition of becoming an economist.
"I am the first person from Kampung Mentelung, Rompin, to sit for STPM. Not many people in my village have had the chance to study this far, and most of them are from the B40 group.
"It’s my hope to raise the living standard and create job opportunities for my community,” she told reporters at the 2024 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and STPM Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony organised by the Department of Orang Asli Development (JAKOA) at a hotel here on Tuesday.
Roziana described the opportunity to study abroad as her way of repaying her mother, Rohani Lamwan, 56, who had raised her alone while working at an oil palm estate under YP Plantation Holdings Sdn Bhd.
"I want to give my mother something to be proud of, so she’ll know that raising me on her own wasn’t in vain,” said Roziana, who is currently preparing to sit for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) on July 19.
Meanwhile, 18-year-old Siti Nur Hawani Muhammad Almi, who scored 9As in the SPM examination, said she would pursue Islamic Education at the Teacher Training Institute, Dato’ Razali Ismail Campus, Kuala Terengganu, starting Aug 11.
The former Sekolah Menengah Agama Al-Hasanah student said furthering studies in Islamic Education was her first choice as she aspired to become an Ustazah (religious teacher).
"I was truly inspired by my teachers at school and found that teaching is something I actually enjoy.
"I used to help my friends study during SPM, and that’s where my passion grew,” she said.
At the same time, Siti Nur Hawani encouraged SPM candidates to step out of their comfort zones to achieve extraordinary results.
"I never used to get 8As or 9As. Usually, I scored 5As or 6As. I wasn’t very focused at first, but as SPM got closer, I realised I needed to change. I pushed myself to work harder, and in the end, I achieved 9As. Alhamdulillah,” she said.
Roziana and Siti Nur Hawani were among 149 Orang Asli students recognised for their academic achievements at the ceremony.
Jakoa deputy director-general (Development) Zamri Mustajap said a total of RM45,550 in incentives was allocated to all recipients.- Bernama
