Mara scholarship student dies in Sydney

Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara) reportedly confirmed that one of its scholarship students died at his apartment in Sydney, Australia yesterday morning.

According to Bernama, Mara said in a statement that based on information obtained from authorities, 22-year-old Amirul Ashraff Md Azhar had fallen off the building he was staying in.

"Overseas Mara officers in Australia rushed to the scene shortly after the incident was reported, for identification purposes.

"Mara wishes heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased," Mara reportedly said.

According to Utusan Online, Amirul Ashraff was believed to have fallen from the 23rd floor of the apartment. 

Mara also added that it would work with the Malaysian embassy to arrange for the body to be brought back as soon as the post-mortem was concluded.

Bernama quoted Mara as saying that it would manage the process of bringing back the body before it is handed over to the family for burial.

The former Langkawi Mara Junior Science College student was reportedly a final-year student in mechanical engineering at the University of Technology Sydney.

Meanwhile, the student’s father, Md Azhar Hasbullah, 48, was quoted by Bernama as saying that he heard about the incident from Mara officials in Australia yesterday afternoon.

He said Amirul Ashraff had just celebrated his 22nd birthday on July 30, and was the oldest of three siblings.

"His birthday was the last time I got in touch with him," he reportedly said, adding that the burial process was expected to take place in Taiping, Perak.

According to Utusan Online, Amirul Ashraff’s mother Zunaidah Ahmad, 46, said that her son had told her that he had failed five subjects and needed to appeal to Mara.

“He had appealed to Mara and I feel he was under pressure. Nonetheless, I am awaiting further information from officers over there,” Zunaidah said.

She added that her son had never mentioned other problems during his stay in Australia.

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