Faced with the possibility of losing her, he made a decision that would alter the course of his life: walking away from an 18-year airline career to spend more time with his family.
“When the doctor said Nur Auliya Humaira had to be placed in an induced coma, my world stopped. That was the moment I decided to resign,” said the 41-year-old, who worked with a major airline as a ground handling crew member.
Auliya, now seven, was born with heart disease and had spent 40 days in an induced coma when she was three.
Determined to build a life closer to home, Khairul began learning about livestock farming through online research and from fellow breeders. In 2019, he founded Khairoul Agro Farm in Kampung Labu Lanjut, Sepang.
“I had no experience at all – I only had an interest in animals,” he admitted, acknowledging that work had consumed much of his life during his years in aviation.
“At the time, the airport was my first home,” he added.
Khairul remembers crying and collapsing to the floor upon submitting his resignation. Friends found it hard to understand why he would leave a stable career behind, but the situation with his daughter had changed his outlook on life and work.
“I could only leave my future in Allah’s hands. Alhamdulillah, He has given me everything now,” he said.
These days, Khairul’s routine looks very different: instead of airport terminals and flight schedules, he tends the livestock and works the land.
The Subang native shared that he began his farming journey with just 60 goats. The transition wasn’t easy – there were times he wanted to give up, especially after he lost eight animals in one night.
“But then I thought about my responsibility to my family. My principle is simple – once you start something, you must keep going. You have to believe there will be a good ending,” he said.
Over time, that perseverance began to pay off. Today, Khairoul Agro Farm is home to hundreds of livestock, including cattle as well as pygmy goats for his children to play with.
Business, he shared, has grown steadily ahead of Aidiladha: as of early this month, the farm had already received orders for 60 goats and 30 cows.
Khairul said he is grateful this chosen path has allowed him to remain close to his family while building something meaningful for their future. And one day, he hopes to open a petting zoo of his own.