FUNDRAISER ON GIVE.ASIA FOR THE HUSBAND OF LATE USTAZAH ZALEHA INJURED IN SINGAPORE ACCIDENT

By Nur Ashikin Abdul Aziz

SINGAPORE, July 4 (Bernama) -- A Malaysian elderly couple on their weekly visit to Singapore was involved in a car accident on June 1. The husband, Aziz Sharif, 76, suffered a stroke while driving, causing their car to skid off the road and crash into a covered walkway in Yishun.

His wife, Zaleha Maksum, 74, who taught Al Quran in Braille every Saturday at an Islamic centre in the republic was tragically killed in the accident. Aziz remains hospitalised at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), after spending 17 days in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Speaking to Bernama, the couple’s three sons—two of whom are in Singapore and one in Putrajaya—said the stroke left their father with severe brain injuries, broken ribs, and internal bleeding from the accident.

The couple’s second son, Mohammad Nizam Aziz said as a foreigner, the cost of Aziz's ICU stay, ongoing treatments, and long-term care has left the family with exorbitant medical expenses reaching almost S$100,000 to date.

Facing rapidly depleting financial resources and rising costs, the family recently turned to the fundraising platform Give.Asia, hoping to raise donations from the public to cover the bills. All funds raised will be managed by Give.Asia and paid directly to the hospital.

As of 9:30 am on Thursday, they have raised S$35,024 through the platform.

“My siblings and I are doing everything we can to support our father's medical needs. We are trying to balance our responsibilities and commitments with the urgent need to cover these expenses. However, despite our best efforts, we are struggling to manage the mounting costs,” he said.

“We didn’t expect this, but accidents happen. We plan to bring him back to Malaysia and transfer him to Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) in Johor Bahru once he is more stable,” he said, adding that for now, doctors have advised Aziz to remain in Singapore.

However, with no immediate family in Johor, the decision to transfer Aziz to HSA presents another challenge for the family.

“There are family members who can visit but it won’t be as frequent in Singapura. He is still unable to open his eyes or talk, still bedridden...so, for now, the family is following the hospital’s advice.

“Even with the rising cost, we have no choice but to try to find ways to ensure the treatment continues,” said the eldest son, Mohammad Rashid Aziz. 

Meanwhile, still grieving the loss of their mother, the family hopes people will keep her in their prayers and pray for their father’s speedy recovery.

Fondly known as Ustazah Zaleha to her students, the former Islamic studies teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pendidikan Khas Princess Elizabeth in Johor Bahru was also an active community member in Taman Daya, Johor Bahru, where the couple resided.

"My late mother is active. She started teaching at Jamiyah after retirement. So it is routine for them to enter Singapore every Saturday, apart from visiting their children and grandchildren here. During the funeral, many people came to visit, shocked and saddened by this news.

That morning, we had breakfast together before she went to teach. I didn't think it was the last breakfast," Mohammad Hanif said, adding that they found out about the incident from a friend who recognised the couple's car from a social media post on the incident.

Donations and updates on Aziz’s condition can be found at https://give.asia/s/hvx8o.

--BERNAMA