Before venturing into business, Dato’ Haji Fickry was a Bahasa Melayu and History teacher in Kelantan.
In 1978 he founded Karangkraf, a publishing company, together with a brother and cousin. In 1997 they started Alaf 21 to give the public a chance to have their work published. By 2003 Karangkraf made it into the Malaysian Book of Records for having 27 magazines under their belt. In 2010 they produced “Wacana Sinar”, a programme for the public to discuss current issues.
He believed if he worked hard enough they could make the company the biggest in Malaysia and they could reach more readers. Karangkraf always strived to keep their profit margin to the minimum so that books and magazines are affordable and more readers could access them. He believed that if one is educated one can survive the world.
Dato’ Haji Fickry was a renowned philanthropist who had done a lot for charity. A lot of organisations and individuals had benefitted from his generosity. He was a prime supporter of the Kolej MARA humanitarian project in Kampung Chumnik since it started in 2009.
His love for education moved him to propose and sponsor the building of a school in the village to provide an opportunity for more youngsters in the village to gain education, thus paving the way for social mobility among the villagers.
Dato’ Haji Fickry passed away on May 4, 2012 due to a heart attack. He never got to see the completion of the school he envisioned but his legacy continues and his wonderful philanthropic work is carried on by his wife and 8 children.
It is in his honour that we decided to name Fickry High School after him. May the Almighty bless his soul and reward him with the riches of jannah.