BUKIT MERTAJAM: At just 25, S. Selveston has faced more hardship and loss than many endure in a lifetime.
Raised in poverty in Jawi, he began working as a security guard at the age of 15 to support his family and save for his education.
Despite the odds, his perseverance paid off when he secured a place at the University of Cyberjaya (UOC), where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours).
Even after enrolling, Selveston continued working daily as a Grab rider to cover tuition fees, rent in Kuala Lumpur, and household responsibilities back home, including caring for his disabled aunt.
“My motivation was always to build a better future for my parents,” he told Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister and Bukit Mertajam MP Steven Sim during a recent visit.
Tragically, within months last year, Selveston lost both his parents — his father to heart complications and his mother to cancer — leaving him to navigate adulthood alone.
The financial burden grew heavier, and his situation worsened recently when he was injured in a hit-and-run accident while working, sustaining a knee injury and temporarily losing his source of income.
“There were days when I could barely afford meals,” he said.
Despite everything, Selveston’s determination remains unwavering: he is committed to completing his degree and is expected to graduate in October.
Moved by his resilience, Sim announced a personal contribution of RM20,000 to support him. This includes an immediate RM5,000 to cover urgent needs, with the remainder earmarked for university fees, rent, and essential living expenses.
“The support aims to allow Selveston to focus fully on completing his studies without the constant pressure of financial survival. Don’t stop now. You’re very close,” Sim wrote in a social media post, urging him to persevere.
For Selveston, the message is simple yet powerful: he wants to finish his degree — a final step toward the future his parents once dreamed of.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
