Malai Abdullah studied nursing after graduating from the Anthony Abell College, Seria in 1973.

[1] Prior to raising awareness of issues relating to autism through the SMARTER Brunei Centre, which eventually expanded to include two more centers, a charity shop, and a bakery, he began his career working for the government under the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The foundation of the SMARTER Brunei Center was motivated by his autistic only son, and one of his daughters now works with the organization after receiving personal training from her late father.

[2] In 2018, he was among the ten from the ASEAN region to receive the Padma Sri civilian honour by President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, for his work towards the betterment of autistic children and adults.

At the time of his death, he had breathing problems, which were later confirmed by medical staff at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital.