Kuala lumpur: 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.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Roziana is the first person from Kampung Mentelung, Rompin, to sit for STPM. She highlighted that not many individuals in her village have had the chance to study as far as she has, with most of them coming from the B40 group. Roziana expressed her hope to improve the living standards and create job opportunities for her community. She shared these sentiments with 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.
Roziana described the opportunity to study abroad as a way to repay her mother, Rohani Lamwan, 56, who raised her alone while working at an oil palm estate under YP Plantation Holdings Sdn Bhd. She expressed her desire to make her mother proud and show that her efforts in raising her were not in vain. Roziana 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, plans to pursue Islamic Education at the Teacher Training Institute, Dato’ Razali Ismail Campus, Kuala Terengganu, starting August 11. The former Sekolah Menengah Agama Al-Hasanah student said furthering her studies in Islamic Education was her first choice as she aspires to become an Ustazah (religious teacher). Inspired by her teachers, she discovered her passion for teaching while helping her friends study during SPM.
Siti Nur Hawani encouraged SPM candidates to step out of their comfort zones to achieve outstanding results. She shared her story of initially scoring 5As or 6As, but with increased focus and determination as SPM approached, she managed to achieve 9As.
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 noted that a total of RM45,550 in incentives was allocated to all recipients.