Wan Zuraidah Abu

Wan Zuraidah Abu has dedicated her life to serving the deaf community as a sign language interpreter, known as a BIM Interpreter (Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia). She began her journey as a teacher for the deaf and transitioned into interpreting in the early 1980s when there were few who understood sign language, let alone interpret. Currently, she leads the Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia (BIM) Interpreting Services under the Malaysian Federation of the Deaf (MFD).

Her extensive experience includes interpreting for RTM Berita Perdana from 1997 to 2020, after which she shifted her focus to training young BIM Interpreters and expanding news interpreting services to BERNAMA and Astro Awani. Zuraidah holds a Psychology Degree from Wawasan Open University (WOU) and is currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work at University Utara Malaysia (UUM).

Zuraidah’s interpreting work has spanned various levels, from local districts to international United Nations Panel of Expert sessions. Her motivation lies not in seeking fame or fortune but in the satisfaction of knowing that her services facilitate communication for the deaf community. Her dedication led her to instruct BIM Interpreters from MFD to gather and disseminate crucial information about Covid-19 through social media for the benefit of the deaf community in Malaysia.

Making an impact means making a difference. It is to be the eyes and ears for the deaf and enable them to live their lives to the fullest.