KUALA LUMPUR: Celebrated Malaysian personality Raja Azura Tengku Ahmad Tajudin, 53, has always been known for her lively spirit and radiant smile.
However, the renowned figure, affectionately known as Kak Engku, recently revealed the hidden story of personal and professional hardship she faced over a decade ago.
The year 2010 marked the end of her marriage to Adzmin Osman following his pronouncement of divorce, but this was only the start of a challenging period.
Five years later, she faced a double blow: the termination of her contract as a popular Sinar FM radio presenter, coupled with being dropped from hosting television programmes like Kilauan Emas and Primadona.
“Fifteen years ago, I was working at the radio station, Sinar FM. After I got divorced in 2010, I was laid off in 2015. At the same time, the children were in school,” she said in a Harian Metro report.
Raja Azura bravely kept her struggles private for years, only confiding in her mother.
She credits her mother and motivational speaker Dr Fadzilah Kamsah for providing much-needed guidance and strength during that time.
Following the loss of her radio job, Raja Azura was unemployed for two years.
This period forced her to make significant adjustments to her family’s lifestyle.
“After being laid off, I was unemployed for two years. Luckily, I was able to manage because I’m the type of person who saves money. When I was a radio presenter, I saved all my bonus money,” she said.
This savings cushion became vital for covering daily expenses, even necessitating the withdrawal of one of her three children—Muhammad Raziq Adzmin, Megat Luqman Hakim Adzmin, and Puteri Mia Maizura Adzmin—from private schooling due to financial constraints.
She also recalled the difficulties of juggling work and childcare as a single mother.
In one instance, a domestic helper ran away, leaving a child unattended at home.
This forced her to take her children to her workplace.
“I had to go out to work with my children and ask my aunt to look after them at the workplace café while I finished work,” she said.
Despite the immense pressure, she maintained a steadfast focus on her offspring.
“The important thing was that the children were with me, and I wanted to take good care of them,” she affirmed, adding that she did not care even if her ex-husband did not provide financial support.
Reflecting on those years, the versatile artiste expresses profound gratitude for her resilience.
“Today, I feel proud of myself,” she said, having successfully raised and educated her children through university.
She also revealed a powerful personal vow she made during her darkest times: “I promised myself that one day, when my son had a degree, I would go to court to fight.”
Now, with her children grown, she feels empowered to face legal proceedings concerning the divorce, which was officially confirmed in 2010 after their 2001 marriage.
Raja Azura stressed that her legal pursuit is not about seeking money or gratitude but ensuring communication and responsibility.
She prefers to handle the public aspects of the struggle herself, shielding her children from the spotlight.
Raja Azura also made a plea for cooperation from her ex-husband, Adzmin Osman.
“If he feels he wants to be safe in this world and the hereafter, Adzmin Osman, please come to court and cooperate.
“I don’t want to embarrass anyone and just want to resolve this peacefully,” she said.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
