Steven Sim Adopts Fourth USM Student, Offers Support Amid Hardships

GEORGE TOWN, July 7 (Bernama) -- Human Resources Minister Steven Sim today welcomed his fourth ‘adopted child’ from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), after hearing the inspiring story of Shun Yong, a second-year student facing significant personal challenges.

Shun, who lost his mother at age 14 and has never known his father, lives with his 87-year-old grandmother.

Despite surviving on just RM500 a month from the Welfare Department (JKM), he persevered academically, achieving four flat distinctions in the Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia (STPM) examination and securing a place at USM.

“Student loans from PTPTN were not enough to cover all his expenses. During semester breaks, Shun took on part-time jobs to support his daily needs and living costs,” Sim shared on Facebook today.

Several months ago, Shun nearly missed his semester registration due to unpaid fees. A kind Samaritan named Uncle Ooi, reached out to Sim to highlight the student’s plight.

Moved by the situation, Sim, who is also the Bukit Mertajam MP, stepped in to clear Shun’s tuition fees. Shortly after, Shun informed him that his laptop had broken down, cutting off access to crucial academic documents.

“I went to USM to take him to buy a new laptop, though he only wanted to fix the old one,” said Sim.

“But Uncle Ooi, who is not related to Shun but has quietly supported him all along, had already bought him a new laptop to ensure he wasn’t held back by faulty equipment.”

“Today, I invited Shun to be my adopted child, not just to provide financial help, but to show him he’s not alone. I want him to know that we stand behind him,” Sim added.

Shun is now the fourth USM student to receive such support from the minister.

-- BERNAMA