'Playful' student beats struggles and circumstances to become judicial commissioner
For many, growing up in a small three-room flat in Bedok North could feel limiting.
But for Mr Mohamed Faizal Mohamed Abdul Kadir, it was the foundation that fuelled his dreams and desire to give back to society.
On Sept 30, Mr Faizal, now a Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court, will be sharing his remarkable journey with youths at the Jauhari Series organised by OMGxBH, Berita Harian's young audience platform.
Life was not always easy for Mr Faizal. With a father who worked as a taxi driver and a mother who was a homemaker, finances were tight.
Despite their struggles, his parents instilled in him something invaluable - the importance of community and service. His parents regularly cooked meals for their local mosque, a gesture that left a lasting impact on him.
Today, even as one of Singapore's most respected legal professionals, he continues that tradition of giving by funding scholarships for students from lower-income families, much like the one he once grew up in.
Mr Faizal's career trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary. After 19 years in Singapore's Legal Service, he was appointed as Judicial Commissioner of the Supreme Court on May 2 this year.
At 40, Mr Faizal has amassed accolades many can only dream of. From being named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum to being listed among the 500 Most Influential Muslims in the World for three consecutive years, he remains a humble figure, always crediting his success to the love and support of those around him.
His appointment in 2020 as Singapore's first Malay-Muslim Senior Counsel marked a historic milestone, one that shattered glass ceilings and inspired countless individuals in the Malay-Muslim community and beyond.
However, Mr Faizal admitted that success didn't come easy, as he admits candidly that he was not always the best student.
"I was playful, I didn't do well in school and my 'A' level grades were not good enough to get into the National University of Singapore (NUS) Law Faculty on first try," shares the recipient of Berita Harian Achiever of the Year Award in 2020.
Despite his struggles, he persevered, driven by a determination to rise above his circumstances.
Now at the top of his field, Mr Faizal is eager to give back and share the lessons he has learned along the way.
His fireside chat at the Jauhari Series, titled 'A Journey in the Law: Building Resilience, Overcoming Adversity, and Looking Out for One Another', will be an opportunity for youths to hear first-hand how he navigated the challenges of a high-stakes legal career while staying grounded in his values.
The fireside chat is part of the Jauhari Series, a monthly dialogue session supported by the government feedback unit, Reach will be in English.
It is open to all youth between 18 and 35 years old and held at the Working Title cafe in Lasalle College of the Arts.
At the sessions, participants can seek advice from guest speakers, and share their aspirations.
Past guests include former President, Madam Halimah Yaacob and Mr Shahrin Abdol Salam, SingPost's chief executive officer for its Singapore business, who are past recipients of BH's Achiever of the Year award. The award recognises Malay/Muslim individuals who excel in their chosen fields.
Interested youths who are interested to attend Mr Faizal's session can register at https://go.gov.sg/omgxbh-30sep.
