KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 — The mother of Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Editor-in-Chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj passed away last night at her residence in Behrang Hulu, Perak.
Kaliamah Karuppaya, 77, breathed her last at 8.10 pm after suffering from kidney failure-related health complications over the past year.
According to Arul Rajoo, his mother had frequently undergone dialysis treatment at several hospitals, including the Slim River Hospital in Perak.
“Most recently, she received treatment at Hospital Al-Sultan Abdullah Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam, in April.
“She was treated there for almost three weeks before doctors advised that she be taken home,” he said when contacted.
Kaliamah, who had worked as a rubber tapper while also being a housewife, leaves behind five children.
Sharing memories of his mother, Arul Rajoo described her as a resilient woman who sacrificed greatly and constantly taught her children to be independent and hardworking.
He said his mother placed great emphasis on education as a way to change the family’s fortunes.
“My mother always reminded us to study hard. She did not want us to go through the hardships that she had endured,” he said, adding that under his mother’s firm but caring guidance, all his siblings completed their tertiary education.
According to Arul Rajoo, prayer rites and final respects are expected to be held at 2.30 pm tomorrow before his mother’s remains are taken to the Serendah Hindu Crematorium.
