Explainer: Afiza Awang's family's fight for justice
Afiza was allegedly mistreated by her husband and had her retirement savings drained without her knowledge.
SHAH ALAM - A deeply emotional family dispute has captured national attention after viral social media posts revealed disturbing claims that a former flight attendant, Afiza Awang, was isolated for nearly a decade.
Afiza was allegedly mistreated by her husband and had her retirement savings drained without her knowledge.
As her daughter and son-in-law stepped forward with video evidence and pleas to the public, the story has triggered outrage, legal questions and a broader discussion on the rights of women, caregivers and persons with disabilities (PwD) in Malaysia.
A mother, forgotten and found
On July 29, 50-year-old Afiza, a former Malaysia Airlines flight attendant, was reported missing by her daughter Ain Nurzaheera Zahirudin and son-in-law Omar Rizal. Ain said her mother was taken from a private nursing home earlier that morning by her estranged husband — Ain’s father — without warning.
Afiza, a stroke survivor and registered PwD, had been placed in the nursing facility around 2015, when she was just 40 years old. Family members claimed she was cut off from communication, visits and support for nearly a decade.
“She is 50, mentally sound, but has been isolated since 2015. No phone, no visitors, no freedom,” Ain wrote in an Instagram post that went viral.
EPF savings emptied without her knowledge
Adding to the family’s concern was the alarming discovery that Afiza’s Employees Provident Fund (EPF) account had been emptied since 2016. Her son-in-law Omar learned of this when he visited the EPF office in Petaling Jaya ahead of her 50th birthday on Aug 1, the age at which she was eligible to withdraw the funds.
The family feared the savings might have been misused and wanted to act fast. But it was too late. Omar was shocked to find that the account balance had long since hit zero.
“Her KWSP funds could be misused. We have less than 48 hours to act,” Omar said in a video posted on July 30.
Because Afiza was classified as PwD, there were no age restrictions for her withdrawals — making the timing of the previous withdrawals a red flag.
Reunion after years apart — “We will not stop”
In a video posted on Instagram by her daughter Ain, Afiza is seen emotionally reuniting with her children; a moment of raw humanity after years of estrangement.
“We have no idea where she is now and we are really worried about her safety,” she wrote.
She added that her father had taken Afiza from the care centre shortly after the reunion.
“My father took my mother from the care home this morning. Please help spread this. Justice will come. We will not stop,” she said.
Mentally sound, physically disabled, but silenced for years
Despite suffering from a stroke, Afiza’s mental faculties were fully intact, according to both her children and video footage shared online.
“She is only physically disabled. She can think and speak clearly. We have videos to prove that she’s mentally sound,” Ain said.
In one clip, Afiza expressed confusion about her finances and assets.
“I do not even know where my money is,” she said.
Ain’s escape and vow to fight for her mother
Critics questioned why Ain had waited until 2024 to take action. Her answer?
“I was born in 2005, I managed to escape my father’s house last year at the age of 19,” she said in an Instagram video.
In the video explanation, she shared how she lived under strict control and trauma until completing her Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams. It was then, she said, that her mother encouraged her to leave — not to look back.
“I promised my mum I would return to her. Now I am fighting to make sure she is never trapped again,” she stressed.
Allegations of abuse and coerced polygamy
Videos and statements by the family alleged that Afiza was not just emotionally abandoned — she was also subjected to abuse and coercion. Omar claimed her husband instructed the care home not to reveal Afiza’s presence to callers.
Afiza herself stated that her husband tried to force her into accepting his second marriage.
“I did not want to sign the polygamy papers, but I was taken to the religious department and forced to sign,” she claimed.
She said she was punished with complete isolation after that.
Negotiations begin behind the scenes
In the latest development earlier today, Omar posted an update indicating a possible turning point.
“Dad has approached us through a middleman — Ain’s cousin — requesting a meeting to negotiate a resolution. He is proposing that both sides find a fair and just outcome, on the condition that I take down the videos and photos.
“I will remove the videos and photos for the sake of mummy (Afiza) and greater good. If mummy is happy with my offers and dad is also happy, it will be announced and all legal actions will be taken to enforce and uphold this agreement.
“Thank you for your support, Malaysia. Because of you, this is possible,” he wrote.
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