How a Malaysian Mother Became a Lawyer to Save Her Son, Despite Having No SPM or Law Background

Azlina Abdul Aziz spent years of her life as a full-time housewife, but when her son was charged with murder, the 56-year-old picked up something she never would have before, a law textbook, just to save him.

Growing up, the thought of becoming a lawyer had never crossed her mind. Coming from a poor family in Felda, Azlina did not manage to complete her schooling due to financial hardship and family circumstances.

On top of that, she shared that some of the challenges she faced from a young age were shaped by her father’s mental health condition.

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Azlina later married at a young age. At first, she thought marriage would solve her problems, but as fate would have it, the marriage ended in divorce. She then began navigating life as a single mother before eventually finding love again with an Australian man.

In 2003, she moved to Australia before returning to Malaysia in 2010.

Murder charges

In 2016, Azlina was still a devoted housewife when her life took a sudden turn. That year, her son, who has a learning disability, was detained by the police.

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Initially, she believed her son had been involved in a drug-related case. However, she received the shock of her life when she discovered that her son, along with others, had been charged with murder.

It was during her son’s trial that Azlina began reading legal materials to better understand the case.

“Going back and forth to prison every week opened my eyes to the struggles faced by other inmates’ families. I saw many parents who did not understand the procedures, so I tried to help as best as I could,” she said.

Applying to study law

Despite not having an SPM certificate, this did not hinder Azlina from pursuing a law degree.

“I still remember going to the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) to ask how I could further my studies in law. The officer who attended to me was rather surprised because I had no SPM and was a housewife. So I had to summon the courage,” she shared.

Through a special pathway, Azlina began her law degree at the age of 43. At the same time, she was still managing her son’s court case. She credited her determination to her desire to understand the law and help her own son.

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In 2022, her hard work bore fruit when her son was acquitted of the charge. Making the moment even more meaningful, he was able to be by her side during her convocation day.

Today, Azlina has opened her own law firm, focusing on civil and criminal cases inspired by her personal life experiences.

“I’ve been a client myself, so I know how that feels. I’m determined to be a lawyer who truly helps people and does not take advantage of others in their time of need."

“From my own experience, I’ve become a lawyer who genuinely understands a client’s problems and will try my utmost to help, because I’ve been through it all myself,” she said.

Featured Image Credit: NST, Freepik