Family of Sabah STPM high achiever grateful for public assistance pouring in

 By Olivia Miwil - July 21, 2023 @ 12:48pm

Jaliusih Madakol (right) and wife Malian Bangkulat (second right) and Arnie burst into laughter when Kiulu assemblyman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai said Arnie is a celebrity during last week meetup in Kiulu. - Pic courtesy of Datuk Joniston Bangkuai

KOTA KINABALU: Malian Bangkulat describes her third child, Arnie Jaliusih, as a blessing to the family.

Following the news of her husband, Jaliusih Madakol, a rubber tapper who borrowed RM120 from villagers to attend Arnie's STPM result announcement event last week, the family has been getting much assistance from the public.

Arnie, 20, from SMK Tun Fuad Stephens, scored a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) in her STPM examination.

She is the first from the school to have such an achievement.

"This kind of assistance is not something that I ever dreamed of. But I am thankful that it is Arnie's outstanding result that has opened the 'pintu rezeki' (door of blessings) for our family," she told the New Straits Times.

The mother of five said Arnie has two younger siblings, aged 17 and 8, who are still studying.

Malian, 53, said after the story went viral, many have come to their house in Kampung Sinansag, Kiulu to see its condition and offer to fix it.

Some also provided food assistance, money and even offered scholarships to Arnie.

"Since last week, there have been many people coming to meet us. We try to entertain as many as possible.

"Even today, there is someone from Australia meeting us at Tamparuli town at 2pm. The Australian does not stay here, but he has family members in Sabah."

Malian said Arnie would be continuing to her studies to become a teacher, or a lecturer if there is an opportunity.

She added that the family had settled the money they borrowed for the taxi fare.