Cover story: Datin Sri Sharifah Menyalara (Lara) Hussein, Natalya Idris and the driving power of legacy

For Datin Sri Lara and Natalya, this is more than a beautiful backdrop for a photo; more even than a beloved national landmark. “This is where it all started,” Datin Sri Lara says.

It was in this very building that her grandfather, Tunku Abdul Rahman, our first prime minister, shaped the Constitution of Malaysia and brought into being the Federation of Malaya agreement. “It means a lot to me to be able to see my grandfather being remembered, to see that people still value his contribution and his legacy.” Sitting in the makeup chair, Datin Sri Lara was faced with a framed newspaper clipping of her grandfather; walking the corridors, overlooking the grounds, his memory was everywhere. 

To be clear, Datin Sri Lara is not a woman living in the shadow of her grandfather, as venerated a shadow as that is. She is a woman of purpose and achievement, the founder and leader of M&C Saatchi Malaysia, one of the foremost figures in the Malaysian advertising industry, known for her strength, strategy and storytelling. 

“I always believed that respect should be earned, not inherited, so I worked hard—not to prove anything to anyone, but to show the girls that you build your own credibility,” Datin Sri Lara says. “Legacy may be part of your story, but it’s not your whole story. I believed that if Natasha and Natalya saw me working hard, building something meaningful, and being financially independent, they would understand what was possible for themselves. Children don’t always follow what you say, they follow what you do. I’ve always told them independence gives you freedom. And freedom gives you the ability to choose your own path.”

A true and throughline in Datin Sri Lara’s life has been the espousing of the Tunku values—a set of core values held dear by Tunku Abdul Rahman, that made themselves known through his words and his works. “He was a man of integrity, very compassionate, very caring, very much a people person. Honesty was such a big part of him,” Datin Sri Lara says. And though she speaks of them as Tunku’s values, they are just as much her own values, and her family’s values. “I constantly remind my daughters to stay humble, not to be materialistic. Life isn’t about chasing labels. It’s about contribution, kindness and staying grounded. I often tell them, ‘Character is what you carry when no one is watching.’ If they can carry the family name with humility and strength, it would make Grandad so proud.”

Her work has not gone unnoticed. “My mother has always led by example. She never just talks about hard work—she embodies it,” Natalya shares. Leaning out over the verandah that wraps around the building, Natalya and Datin Sri Lara are a pair to admire: poise that doesn’t preen, presence that speaks volumes. Between them, a quiet bond and understanding. “My mother’s legacy is one of strength, integrity, and impact. She has broken so many barriers in her industry while remaining authentic to who she is. Beyond her professional achievements, I think her greatest legacy is the way she has inspired others—especially women—to believe in themselves and pursue their goals fearlessly.”

There is no question of Tunku Abdul Rahman’s influence. But in Datin Sri Lara’s family, the women loom just as large. “I say this very humbly: We were given a strong foundation,” she says. “My mother lived her life beside a celebrated man, but she had her own quiet strength. She believed deeply in family values and independence. She never needed to be loud to be strong. In her generation, strength often meant resilience, holding everything together with grace. Today, I think a strong woman is defined not just by intelligence or outward confidence, but by emotional intelligence. Being comfortable in your own skin. Not needing constant validation. My mother passed those values onto my daughters: independence, emotionally and financially. They must be able to stand on their own two feet.”

Just as Datin Sri Lara looked to her mother, Tunku Khadijah Tunku Abdul Rahman, for these lessons, Natalya has grown up seeing those same lessons exemplified before her. Speaking of her mother, she says, “She has never been afraid to speak up, be assertive, or stand her ground. Watching her navigate challenges with confidence and resilience has taught me the importance of advocating for myself, and never giving up, even in difficult moments. She has also always emphasised that nothing worth doing should be done half-heartedly—if you commit to something, you should give it your all. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my life.”

“Honestly, motherhood has been my greatest pride and joy. Of all the roles I’ve played in life, this one matters most to me,” Datin Sri Lara says. “I’ve always been a very hands-on mum. From when my daughters were little girls to now  as women I’ve stayed very present in their lives. I see myself as a sounding board and a mentor. Our relationship is also much more two-way now, it really feels like the circle of life. I learn so much from them, especially about new tech out there, cultural shifts, and how their generation sees the world. Don't forget I have a Millennial and a Gen Z daughter, so I’m constantly asking for their thoughts even for my work. They challenge my thinking and keep me current. As much as they still seek guidance from me, I genuinely learn from them too.”

Datin Sri Lara is a woman at the very top of her game. But it wasn’t always the case, and her career journey is one to inspire hope that what’s meant for you, will come to you—as long as you meet it halfway. 

Growing up, she was moving constantly between countries and schools, an experience she credits with honing agility and leadership—and a fierce sense of competitiveness—but also a slight sense of uncertainty when she did return to Malaysia after graduation. “I came back at the worst possible time, during the recession, and I couldn’t get a job,” Datin Sri Lara says. “I was very idealistic, I graduated in European economics and politics, I went to school in France. And then I thought: Well, wait a minute, actually my degree, my French has no value here at all. I interviewed with the Malaysian French Bank at that time but then thought: No, I don't want to be a banker. And I didn't want to join politics. The only job that I could get was in an advertising agency. I didn't know anything about advertising, no clue. It was the only job where I didn’t have to speak Bahasa. And I earned RM800.”

It was a happy accident that sparked a lifelong journey. “You meet creative people who are eccentric, but you have also the rational side of the business, the strategy side, the data side. So I enjoyed the mix, and culturally it suited me because people were more easygoing. It wasn't so rigid. You never know where you're going to end up really. It's all where life takes you, right? It's a very, very interesting change; and when people ask me to give advice to students, all I can say is: You can’t really predict the career that you’re going to be taking.”

Natalya’s own work journey has taken her from policy development to strategy and branding. “I haven’t always known exactly what I wanted to do, and my career journey hasn’t been a straight line. It’s been shaped by moments of uncertainty, learning, and growth—there have been ups and downs along the way, and I’m still very much figuring things out as I go,” she says. “I feel I still have a long way to go in my career, with many areas I’d like to explore. Earlier on, I was very involved in volunteering, something I had to pause due to work commitments and time constraints. In the future, I hope to reconnect with that part of myself. I also aspire to one day build or own something of my own (whether a business or a project) that reflects my values and allows me to create meaningful impact.”

Of course in this, as with all things, she has Datin Sri Lara’s wisdom to look to. “If more women could believe this, I just think that you can do anything that you set yourself out to achieve, it’s all in the mind. Having a very strong belief in yourself and in what you want to do is really important, it comes from within, and not having to depend on anyone.”

At the end of the day, what then, does legacy mean to the two women? “I hope my legacy will be one rooted in purpose and positive impact,” Natalya says. “I want to be remembered as someone who worked hard, stayed true to herself, and contributed meaningfully to the people and communities around her.”

“Legacy, to me, is a foundation,” Datin Sri Lara says. “You use it to do good, to give back, to have purpose. I think if people can remember me for being who I am, enjoying the creativity of the business that I built, I'm happy with that. I just want people to know me as a very simple person that has a very strong sense of belief in the thing that I do.”

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