By Yashila Issabelle
Being honoured at the Palace of Westminster in London, England is something to be proud about and for Puteri Zaidah bte Megat Abdul Aziz (66), it was a truly special moment.
Fondly known as Edah in her UK community, she was one of only 27 people to receive the prestigious British Citizen Award (BCA), taking home the Medal of Honour for Services to Community (BCAc) for her years of dedication to the Old School Community in Stoke Climsland, Cornwall.
“Despite your age, never give up.
Do not think you are old just because of your age. Keep active as much as you can and live for each day.
Every day is a bonus!”, wrote Edah in an email interview with Ipoh Echo, sharing her advice with the elderly of Perak.
Born in Pasir Puteh and raised in Kampong Manjoi, Ipoh, Edah moved to the UK after meeting her husband, Michael Joll, while working as a receptionist at Osborne & Chappell, a well-known firm of mining engineers in Ipoh.
Life was not easy growing up.
At just 13, she had to leave Methodist Girls’ School (MGS) after her father passed away.
As the eldest of six children, she went to work to help her mother raise the family.
Over the years, she took on various jobs before joining Osborne & Chappell, where she met her husband Michael Joll.
He had come to Malaysia as a 21-year-old in 1964 and later moved into the company’s head office in 1971.
Edah and Michael married in 1982.
That was 23 years ago — and she’s still there today.
Her work at the centre is hands-on.
She handles the paperwork, plans activities, and, most importantly, cooks for the senior citizens.
Twice a week she serves afternoon tea, every Friday she prepares lunch for the elderly, and she also caters for funerals, birthdays, and weddings.
In 2023, even after being diagnosed with bowel cancer, Edah continued cooking for residents and raising funds to keep the centre going.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, she made sure the elderly and vulnerable were not left behind, organising takeaway meals from the centre’s car park and setting up gazebos so people could meet safely outdoors.
Her warmth, energy, and tireless commitment have made her a much-loved figure in Stoke Climsland.
It was the local residents themselves who nominated her for the British Citizen Award, in recognition of the difference she has made to their lives.
From a young girl in Kampong Manjoi helping to support her family, to a respected community leader in the UK, Edah’s journey is a story of strength, kindness, and determination.
It’s a story that inspires the elderly to keep moving, encourages the young to never give up, and reminds us all that small acts lead up to big things.
