KUALA TERENGGANU: As a seven-year-old, Puteri Fateh Arina Merican Megat Suffian Merican grabbed international attention with her poem on the plight of oppressed children and women.
Her rendition a public event, on her sadness to see children and parents die in war, drew resounding response.
Ten years later, Arina is still as driven. The burning passion of the great-grandniece of the country’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj is evident.
“Since young, I was deeply touched by happenings around the world, especially the sufferings inflicted on the young and hapless in war-torn countries like Syria and Afghanistan.
“That is why, I am bent on pursuing my dream of pursuing law to assist these victims,” said Arina, a champion orator at the Tunku Kurshiah College in Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.
Her passion for poems also saw her winning the ‘Petaling Jaya Girl Guides Oratory Competition’ in 2010.
In 2013, Arina was joint champion in the ‘Tun Siti Hasmah Mohamed Ali Elocution Competition’, for her composition and recital of the poem ‘Three Birds’.
In the same year too, Arina grabbed mass attention with her poignant message on the horrors of war, which appeared in a movie clip screened during the launch of the world’s first ‘Criminalise War Club’ in Malaysia.
A year later in 2014, Arina gave a moving rendition of ‘Sleep Well, My Brother’ that brought tears to the audience at the International Symposium on Peace in Kuala Lumpur.
And in 2016, she sent a strong message to the world, where she penned ‘Ode to Aylan Kurdi’ in her school magazine.
‘Ode to Aylan Kurdi’ highlighted the tragedy of a three-year-old Syrian boy of Kurdish ethnic background.
Aylan’s image made global headlines after he and his brother Galip drowned on Sept 2, 2015 in the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Bodrum in Turkey when their boat capsized while fleeing his war-torn country.
This June, Arina She started her foundation studies in law at the International Islamic University Malaysia’s campus in Section 17, Petaling Jaya.
Arina, born on June 24, 1999 has thus far converted her thoughts into touching poems and art pieces.
Recently, she launched her book, ‘Paracosm’, which refers to a detailed imaginary world, at Universiti Malaya in Kuala Lumpur.
Proceeds of sales from the book will be channelled to the Tun Suffian Foundation which awards scholarships to underprivileged high-achievers in local and foreign universities
“I hope my work will help humanity worldwide, for people to realise the sufferings of women and children.
“There is so much of misery in this world, despite the need for love, peace and strength.
“I pray my thoughts put into words may be shared for the benefit of others,” said Arina.
‘Paracosm’ features Arina’s struggles in her day-to-day life where she faces anxiety and depression and how she tackles it.
“The book is about how I feel of what is also happening in other people’s lives,” said Arina.
Meanwhile, Tunku Kurshiah College principal Anismah M. Noh described Arina as a gifted young writer who was prolific with her potpourri of prose and poems as evident in her book.
“Arina is very articulate and has a flair for writing since the age of five.
“It’s not surprising that Arina has since blossomed with a wealth of talent and knowledge, partly thanks to her upbringing by her family of lawyers and aristocrats.
“Arina has penned many a touching, inspiring and intriguing poem, prose and editorial for magazines in her young lifetime,” said Anismah.
She added that Arina’s forte for writing began in her kindergarten days at the Children’s House at age three and through primary school at Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.
“Thus, ‘Paracosm’ is timely towards the launching of her literary career, towards a very blissful stardom as an accomplished writer and poet in years to come.
“I am confident and certain that Arina will carve a niche for herself in the literary world that beckons an enthusiastic and prolific writer that she promises to be.
“Like the ‘Paracosm’, Arina’s imaginary world is destined to transform into reality and chart her to greater success,” said Anismah.