HER child being charged in a murder case proved to be a turning point in a woman's life, prompting her to change direction from a housewife to a lawyer.
Azlina Abdul Aziz, 52, said the dark moment she went through in 2016 opened a new chapter in her life.
"I never thought of becoming a lawyer. I was just a housewife. I grew up in a poor family on Felda land and did not have time to finish schooling up to the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) level.
"I left school early because of the hardships of life and my family situation. The challenges of life since childhood were also influenced by my father's condition, who suffered from mental problems," she told Harian Metro.
Azlina's story, known on social media as Makcikmanis, has caught the attention of online users for her role as a housewife who became a lawyer and has even more attention because she does not have an SPM.
Azlina married for the first time at a young age, but the marriage did not last long and ended in divorce.
"I thought marriage could solve problems, but it turned out to be another test. I was a single mother for several years before meeting my soulmate, an Australian husband.
"We lived in Australia from 2003 before returning to Malaysia in 2010," she said.
She said she was a full-time housewife until her son was arrested by the police in 2016.
"At first, I thought it was a drug case, but when the police said it was a murder case, I was really shocked.
"My son has learning disabilities and was charged with other individuals in the case.
"My son looks normal, but he is actually a special person," she said.
During her son's trial, Azlina began reading legal materials to understand the court process.
"I read the case and tried to understand how the prosecution proves a case. The experience of going back and forth to prison every week opened my eyes to the difficulties of other inmates' families.
"I saw many parents who did not understand the procedure, so I tried to help as much as I could," she said.
She said she was encouraged by friends to continue her studies in law, which was the starting point for her life change.
"They said I could speak like a lawyer, so I tried to apply. Even though I did not have an SPM, I used my work experience to qualify for university through a special route.
"I remember going to the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM) to ask how to further my studies in law.
"The officer who served me was a bit surprised because I didn't have an SPM and was just a housewife. So, I just had to be brave," she said.
She said that at the age of 43, Azlina started studying law while still managing her son's case in court.
"I studied because I wanted to understand and help my own son," she said.
She said that, in 2022, it was the most meaningful moment when her son was acquitted of the charges.
"Alhamdulillah, my son was acquitted after almost six years, after being found not guilty.
"My son even had time to see me on convocation day," she said.
Now, Azlina has opened her own firm and focuses on civil and criminal cases based on her life experience.
"I used to be a client, so I know what that feels like. I am determined to be a lawyer who truly helps and does not take advantage of other people's hardships.
"From my personal experience, I have become a lawyer who truly understands the problems of my clients and will try my best to help because I have experienced all of that," she added. – April 7, 2026
