Family and faith shaped Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin

Some people light up the room the moment they enter. One such individual is Toh Puan Raja Noora Ashikin Raja Abdullah.

Dressed in a green baju kurung with a matching tudung (headscarf) and heels, Raja Noora Ashikin flashed a warm smile when she greeted Twentytwo13’s team during an exclusive interview on July 16.

Despite her hectic schedule, the 77-year-old from Ipoh, Perak, radiated warmth and grace.

As the wife of Tun Ramli Ngah Talib, Perak’s longest-serving Menteri Besar (1983–1999), Raja Noora Ashikin has long played active roles in various non-governmental organisations. At one time, she was president of the Malaysian Women’s Hockey Association, before its merger with the Malaysian Hockey Confederation (MHC).

Now that Ramli is the Governor of Penang, Raja Noora Ashikin remains active and hopes to champion a new cause – the welfare of children with special needs.

She has always led from the front, with leadership being a way of life deeply rooted in the values instilled by her parents and grandmother.

An accomplished professional with extensive experience in finance and investment banking, Raja Noora Ashikin founded a stock brokerage firm, which was later merged with a local bank.

She also owned ZAZA Apparels Manufacturer, a company in the fashion industry, but stepped away after Ramli was sworn in as Penang Governor on May 1, 2025.

Her business sense was matched by a strong eye for aesthetics, which she attributes to her grandmother’s meticulous nature and attention to detail.

“She taught me that everything we present – from how we dress to how we treat people – is a reflection of who we are,” said Raja Noora Ashikin.

“My parents, and particularly my grandmother, are responsible for who I am today. Of course, this was supplemented by my teachers and other elders, but to me, family is the foundation of what a person becomes,” she told Twentytwo13.

“My father (Raja Abdullah Raja Syed Salim) was a very kind, warm and charitable person. That’s where I learnt the value of charity. My mother (Rahmah Mohd Nor), who married young, was a dedicated housewife who took care of the home and devoted herself to raising her children with love and care.

“But my grandmother, Majidah Abdul Majid, was the family matriarch. She was the one who taught me religion, and the values of respect, compassion, justice, and adab (manners and proper conduct). She was meticulous in ensuring we followed the right adab. Because of her, culture and values became deeply ingrained in our lives.”

It was her mother and grandmother who ensured that education and discipline were cornerstones of her upbringing. After school and extracurricular activities, she would return home to recite the Quran.

“My grandmother was such a disciplinarian. Every day, after Maghrib and Isyak prayers, she would sit with me – even until midnight if needed – to make sure I completed my schoolwork,” said Raja Noora Ashikin with a nostalgic smile.

“That presence meant everything. Even though my husband and I always set aside time for our four children, I wish I could have given them as much attention as my grandmother gave me. I now realise how valuable that support was during my formative years.”

That bond grew even stronger after her father died when she was in Form 2.

“He was my source of comfort – the person I ran to whenever I kena marah (got scolded). Losing him was incredibly difficult,” she said.

“After his death, my grandmother’s brother wanted to bring our family back to the village, but I stood my ground and insisted we remain in Ipoh.

“Looking back, that was my first act of courage. I had the support of my mother and grandmother. And so, my sister and I stayed to finish our education.”

Those formative years shaped her resilience and moral compass – values that would serve her well in leadership roles.

Raja Noora Ashikin founded the Perak Association of State Assemblymen’s Wives (Baiduri) in 1983 and served as its founding president. She has been a board member of the Women’s Institute of Management (WIM) since 1997, supporting women’s education, leadership and entrepreneurship. She also serves on the executive committee of the Malaysian Women Graduates Association.

Unafraid to challenge the status quo, Raja Noora Ashikin fought for equal representation for women on the MHC executive council, determined that the efforts of the women’s team would not go unrecognised.

On her leadership style, she explained: “Discipline, listening, collaboration, compassion – these are essential. A good leader must embrace all of them.

“You must always respect the people who do the work. When I attend functions, I don’t just look at the people who receive me.

“I make it a point to acknowledge the workers – they’re the ones who made the event possible.

“The people and the community need to be recognised. I hope to be remembered like my grandmother – as someone who was always there for her children, grandchildren, and anyone in need.”

Tomorrow: Raja Noora Ashikin shares how she met Ramli, early morning train rides, and ensuring her children stayed grounded.