KUALA LUMPUR: Stateless no more, Rohana Abdullah’s dream of furthering her studies has come true after she received an offer to pursue a diploma in computer science at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM).
UTeM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Massila Kamalrudin presented the offer letter to Rohana and her adoptive mother Chee Hoi Lan, 83, at their house at Batu 5, Jalan Ipoh here.
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“I’m here to convey our heartfelt congratulations, especially from our chancellor Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam, on your acceptance to the university,” said Prof Massila in a video shared by Bernama yesterday.
Rohana, 22, was over the moon at receiving the offer.
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“I don’t know how to say ‘thank you’ … I am very grateful for the gift God has given me because this is something I have been dreaming about for a long time.
“Thank you also to UTeM. Although I am more interested in the field of medicine, computer science was my second choice and laoshi (Chee) is also supportive of it, so I will do my best to repay her,” she said.
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Rohana was previously stateless as her Indonesian biological mother had abandoned her when she was two months old while her father, a local man, had disappeared after her birth.
She has since been raised by Chee, who was a teacher at a kindergarten where Rohana’s mother had worked as a cleaner.
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Her problems with her citizenship attracted the attention of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who then contacted her to assist with her documentation.
She received her Malaysian citizenship on April 29.
The story of Rohana being raised by Chee despite their differences in race and religion went viral on social media earlier this year, touching the hearts of Malaysians nationwide.
Chee, who is unmarried, had raised Rohana to be a good Muslim, even sending her to religious lessons such as Kelas Asas Fardu Ain (Kafa).
She also ensured that Rohana learnt the basics of Islam through her studies at school and interactions with those around her.
Chee said she loves Rohana like her own child and made sure she ate halal food and worshipped as a Muslim since she was a little girl.
“But before I die, I want to see her get married, be successful and happy.
“I am relieved because in her whole life, I made sure that she lived as a Muslim and would remain so forever,” said Chee in a previous interview with Harian Metro.
Rohana also said in the interview that she would continue to love her adoptive mother, whom she affectionately calls laoshi (teacher in Mandarin), even after she goes on her own path.
Rohana said she would go with Chee to Melaka tomorrow to register for the course.