ISA Detention Spurred Dr Shukri To Pursue Knowledge, Serve Society

ALOR SETAR, June 17 (Bernama) -- Being detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for two weeks in his youth became a major turning point in the life of Kedah's Tokoh Maal Hijrah Dr Shukri Abdullah.

Dr Shukri, 76, said the incident, which occurred in 1974 following his involvement in the Baling Demonstrations while serving as a student leader at Universiti Sains Malaysia, gave him a renewed awareness of the importance of education and planning for the future.

“After my release, my scholarship was withdrawn. The experience strengthened my determination to change my life because I did not want to continue living with regret.

“I believe people can change if they have the awareness and desire to improve themselves,” he told reporters after the Kedah State-Level Maal Hijrah Celebration at Wisma Darul Aman here today.

At the event, he received a certificate of appreciation and RM15,000 in cash, presented by the Raja Muda of Kedah, Tengku Sarafudin Badlishah Sultan Sallehuddin.

The motivational speaker said that after his release, he devoted himself entirely to his studies and eventually emerged as the overall best student in USM.

According to him, education became the pathway to transforming his life, and his dedication enabled him not only to excel academically but also to be honoured with delivering the valedictory address as the university's top graduate.

Dr Shukri said the achievement was even more meaningful as he had not been an outstanding student during his school years.

He said his average academic performance resulted in his initial university application being rejected. He later worked as a journalist with Utusan Melayu in 1980 for a year before reapplying and being accepted into USM.

He subsequently pursued further studies in the United Kingdom and obtained a PhD from University of Essex within two years and two months.

Upon returning to Malaysia, he served as a lecturer at USM before leaving academia to focus on guiding students and parents through motivational programmes, a field in which he has been active for more than 30 years.

The father of 10 and grandfather of 22 said he remains actively involved in sharing his experiences and inspiring society, stressing that excellence begins with discipline, self-awareness and the determination to change.

He also reminded young people to set clear life goals to avoid becoming involved in unproductive activities, while emphasising the important role of parents in helping their children determine their direction from an early age.

-- BERNAMA