Che Engku Puan Sri Rozeeta arried to the late Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah, who passed away seven years ago, Che Engku Puan Sri Rozeeta is a single mum to 16-year-old twins. Her daughter, Tunku Intan Kurshiah, is everything she ever wanted her to be—intelligent, gorgeous, humble and well-grounded. “She takes her education seriously and is very driven,” Che Engku Rozeeta tells us with pride. She also reveals that it is always a joy to speak to her daughter’s teachers, who are full of praises for her. In contrast, “my son Tunku Muhammad Shah Tunku Abdullah is more relaxed,” Che Engku Rozeeta says. According to her, he is exactly like his father—a perfect gentleman, articulate, generous, thoughtful and very kind. Similar to his twin sister, he too is very smart and receives similar feedback as his sister does, from his teachers. “The twins are always open with me; we hang out, joke, and even tease each other,” Che Engku Rozeeta reveals. However, while she is extremely close to her children, she wouldn’t call herself their best friend. “I am a mum first and always,” she stresses firmly. Che Engku Rozeeta simply loves spending time with her twins and ensures that she travels with them to different destinations, each school holiday. Whether it is taking them skiing in Switzerland or Japan, going on fun trips to Australia or New York, or just hanging out, at their homes in London, Bali or Langkawi, the three always have a good time. “The twins can be very reserved and take a while to adjust to someone new. But when they are comfortable, they are witty, funny and delightful... a bit like me I guess,” Che Engku Rozeeta says with a laugh. Like many mothers who are close to
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their children, Che Engku Rozeeta has had many memorable moments with her twins, including the time when her son was being protective of her when he was just four years of age. “Each time I tried on a dress in a dressing room boutique, he would stand at the door with his arms folded to ensure nobody comes in,” she recalls. And, it was her daughter who was the one that comforted her when her husband passed away. “I will never forget the moments when I was crying and she kept on hugging me, saying that it will be okay because she and her brother are there for me.” When asked to describe the qualities she finds most inspiring about her mum, Tunku Intan Kurshiah replies, “I love her generosity, patience and determination in whatever task she does. Her traits have contributed to the way she’s raised us and I’m glad to have such a close, trusting relationship with my mum.” The bright teen credits her mother in playing a major role in shaping her. “Through the stories from her past and the lectures she’s given us, I’ve learnt so much from my mum.” For his part, Tunku Muhammad Shah appreciates his mum just as much as his sister. “The freedom she has given us over the years has subsequently made me more aware of the ‘right’ choices in life,” he explains. “Despite this, she still worries for me endlessly, with every bit of love and care any teenager could ask for.” Since his family travels a lot, it is hard for him to pick his fondest memories, though he confesses that his mum always makes him feel safe, healthy and comfortable no matter where they go. Out of the many lessons his mum has taught him, Tunku Muhammad reveals that his mum’s number one rule for him is to always be honest with her. “I think I can speak for both my sister and I when I say that this will definitely benefit us in making sensible choices for the future.”
“The twins are always open with me; we hang out, joke, and even tease each other.” However, while she is extremely close to her children, she wouldn’t call herself their best friend. “I am a mum first and always” 180
malaysia tatler . may 2016