In Kuala Nerus, what was supposed to be a day of celebration turned poignant for a graduate at her convocation ceremony.
Just 15 minutes before she was to take the stage, she received the heartbreaking news of her father’s passing.
Haslina Kalang, 23, a recent graduate from UniSZA, was about to experience one of her life’s proud moments.
Dressed in her graduation gown, she was set to receive her diploma in International Relations with Honors.
But her joy was overshadowed by a phone call that changed everything. Her neighbor from Tawau, Sabah, delivered the devastating news: Her father, Kalang Tona, 56, had passed away at 10:30 AM.
“I was torn about attending the convocation because of my dad’s health. He had been suffering from a stroke,” Haslina shared, her voice heavy with emotion.
“But he insisted. He wanted me to be on that stage, to receive my diploma.”
Despite the shock and grief, Haslina summoned the strength to go on stage. “I couldn’t believe he was gone just before my big moment.
But I knew I had to do it, for him,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes.
Haslina, the second among five siblings, had put her life on hold to care for her ailing father after completing her studies.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling,” Haslina said, reflecting on her father’s absence on her special day. “I’m grateful I could take care of him. Today, I accept his passing as part of my journey.”
Haslina had returned to Terengganu two days earlier, accompanied by her eldest sister from Johor, to attend the convocation.
In a touching gesture, UniSZA presented Haslina with RM 2,500 to help her purchase a flight ticket back to Tawau, Sabah, immediately after the ceremony, which she had originally planned to attend the next day.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family during this difficult time.
