Kuala Lampur, June 14 -- Father's Day often invites us to reflect on the men who shaped us. As a 46-year-old researcher, a professional in the world of science and academia, my life has been a tapestry woven with both precision and unpredictability. I come from a large family - 10 siblings, each with our own stories, but all sharing the same foundation: a father who is, in many ways, the archetype of the old Malay tradition, but carries with him a progressive wisdom.

He is a man of few words, his presence steady but understated, a quiet force that anchored our sprawling household. He recently celebrated his 71st birthday earlier this month, a milestone that reminds me of the enduring strength behind his calm demeanour.

My father was a m...