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A Malaysian mother changed the course of her life after her son was charged with murder in 2016, motivating her to pursue law despite never completing secondary school
Azlina Abdul Aziz, now 52, said she was a full-time housewife until her son was arrested 10 years ago.
"I never thought of becoming a lawyer. I was just a housewife. I grew up in a poor family in a FELDA settlement and did not manage to complete my education.
"I left school early because of financial hardship and family circumstances. Life challenges since childhood were also influenced by my father's mental health condition," she told Harian Metro.
Azlina said her life took a drastic turn when her son, who has learning difficulties, was arrested and charged alongside several others in a murder case
"At first I thought it was a drug case, but when police said it was murder, I was extremely shocked," she said.
Determined to understand court proceedings, Azlina began reading legal materials and case files while attending her son's trial and visiting him in prison.
"My weekly trips to the prison opened my eyes to the struggles faced by other prisoners' families. I saw many parents who did not understand procedures, so I tried to help where I could," she said.
Encouraged by friends who noticed her growing legal knowledge, Azlina eventually decided to pursue a law degree as a mature student
"They said I already spoke like a lawyer, so I tried to apply. Even though I did not have SPM, I used my work experience to qualify for university through a special entry pathway.
"I still remember going to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) to ask how to further my studies in law. The officer was quite surprised because I did not have SPM and was only a housewife.
"I just gathered my courage," she said.
At 43, Azlina began her law studies while continuing to follow her son's court proceedings.
"I studied because I wanted to understand and help my own son," she said.
In 2022, her son was acquitted of the charge
"Alhamdulillah, my son was freed when he was found not guilty after almost six years. He was also able to attend my convocation," she said.
Her son was also present when she was called to the Bar at the Kuala Lumpur High Court in 2023.
Today, Azlina runs her own law firm focusing on civil and criminal cases, drawing from her own life experiences
Having once been a client herself, she said she hopes to support other families going through similar struggles.
"I was once a client myself, so I know how it feels. I want to be a lawyer who truly helps people and does not take advantage of their hardships," she said.
