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Economy

Mother dies of cancer in May, father collapses this morning

Malaysian Official Steps in After Orphaned Siblings Lose Parents Within Three Months

Source: Kosmo! · August 21, 2026 at 1:31 PM · AI-assisted report

Single-source
Mother dies of cancer in May, father collapses this morning
Photo: Gianni Careddu / CC BY-SA 4.0

KUALA LUMPUR, 21 AUGUST 2026 —

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Malaysian Official Steps in After Orphaned Siblings Lose Parents Within Three Months

Market Impact

KUALA LUMPUR – Two siblings who lost their mother to cancer in May were orphaned again on Wednesday after their father drowned in the Pahang River, prompting the head of the Mara Council to pledge long-term support for their education.

Nurul Izni Zafirah Muhamed Hanifa, 17, and her 13-year-old brother Muhamad Aif Izzuddin, were confirmed as orphans following the discovery of their father, Muhamed Hanifa Mammu, 47, by rescue teams at 7:50 a.m. near Kampung Lebak Seberang in Temerloh. Muhamed Hanifa, a customs enforcement assistant at the Inland Revenue Board’s Temerloh office, had reportedly fallen from a boat while fishing the previous day.

The siblings’ mother, a homemaker, passed away on 25 May from lung cancer and kidney complications, leaving the children under the care of their father. Mara chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the foundation would formally adopt Nurul Izni Zafirah as an Anak Angkat Mara and cover her schooling expenses through secondary education, including any additional tuition needed for her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examinations.

“If she needs extra classes or private tuition, I will cover the cost until SPM. We will ensure she gets the best, and after SPM, we will continue to support her,” Asyraf Wajdi said in a social media post that included a video call with the siblings.

For Muhamad Aif Izzuddin, who is enrolled at the Mara Junior Science College (MRSM) in Mersing, Johor, Asyraf Wajdi said he would arrange for the student to receive the Budi Assistance allowance to cover daily school needs. “Consider me your father. If you face any problems, just let me know,” he told the 13-year-old.

The siblings are currently under the temporary care of relatives, according to local reports. Temerloh Fire and Rescue Department director Datuk Mohd Razam Taja Ibrahim confirmed the recovery of Muhamed Hanifa’s body and said no foul play was suspected.

Malaysia Market Impact

The incident highlights the social safety-net role played by government-linked foundations such as Mara in cases of sudden family breakdowns. Analysts note that such interventions can reduce long-term welfare dependency by ensuring continuity of education for affected minors. Details on any potential insurance or compensation claims by the family were not immediately available.

Sector/Company Specifics

Mara, through its Yayasan Pelajaran Mara (YPM), operates Malaysia’s largest state-funded scholarship programme, disbursing over RM1 billion annually to more than 100,000 students. The foundation’s Anak Angkat initiative typically covers tuition, hostel fees, and living allowances for orphans and underprivileged students until tertiary education.

Outlook

With both parents now deceased, the siblings will rely on Mara’s structured support system. Asyraf Wajdi reiterated that the foundation would monitor their progress until they complete their studies. “May Allah grant patience to the family and place the father among the righteous,” he said in a statement. Further details on counselling or financial disbursements are expected to be announced by YPM in the coming weeks.

Related: Mara · Inland Revenue Board · Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki · Kuala Lumpur

Reporting based on Kosmo!. Figures and claims are subject to revision as the story develops. DomainFork publishes editorial context, not investment advice — see our editorial standards.