Lady Meriam was the daughter of a tin mining tycoon, Chong Ah Yong, who was also a friend of the Tunku.
Tunku Abdul Rahman met Meriam in Kulim, where he had just been transferred as Assistant District Officer.
Some historical reports state that Meriam was personally chosen by Tunku's mother, Che Menjalara who was of Thai descent herself.
A visiting English doctor from Alor Setar mistakenly gave her an injection of undiluted quinine that killed her instantly.
Instead he wrote to the State Secretariat, asking that funds be made available to drain the swamp and to rid Kuala Nerang of the main breeding place of the carriers of malaria.