Puan Sri Akmal Abdul Salam has dedicated a good part of her life to charity work. The patron of the Breast Cancer Welfare Association (BCWA) was previously the chairman of Puteri DRB Hicom, recognised for leading on-the-ground initiatives to help the needy.

She also founded and chaired Beauty Unlimited Malaysia Sdn Bhd, a company with interests in beauty, wellness and event management.

Akmal is known for her unofficial altruistic work from sponsoring underprivileged children, spending time at paediatric wards and orphanages. She has been the patron of BCWA, an organisation that has provided peer support to women with breast cancer since 2005.

Besides indulging in her hobbies like baking and singing, Abdul Salam enjoys spending time with her large family, which includes her three sons with husband Tan Sri Mohd Saleh Sulong, two daughters-in-law and nine grandchildren.