UMPSA prepares 17 buses for the benefit of 600 students heading home to celebrate Aidilfitri

PEKAN, 5 April 2024 - Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) is providing a total of 17 buses for approximately 600 students, thanks to the collaboration of the Department of Student and Alumni Affairs (JHEPA), the Department of Property Development and Management (JPPH), and the Student Representative Council (MPP). 

This initiative is sponsored by local organizations to enable students to return to their respective hometowns on April 5 and 6 to celebrate Aidilfitri, which is fast approaching.

UMPSA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Ts. Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, stated that this involves travel to nine destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Johor, Perak, Penang, Kedah, and Perlis.

"This programme is a yearly event as the festive day approaches, demonstrating our concern for the welfare of students and alleviating their burden of traveling home for Eid with their beloved families," he said, expressing deep appreciation for this collaboration.

Additionally, the Johor Islamic Religious Council (MAIJ) is sponsoring five buses to bring UMPSA students home free of charge, specifically Johor students under the Johor Children's Secretariat (Iskandar).

Moreover, the Selangor State Education Standing Committee is sponsoring two buses for students from Selangor under the Selangor National Students Association (PERMAS NASIONAL), and one bus is operated by the Kelantan Student Association Secretariat (SEHIMSAK).

UMPSA MPP Chairman, Muhammad Haykal Halid, emphasized that this "Moh Pulang Beraya" programme is highly beneficial to ease the burden on UMPSA students returning to their hometowns.

"The MPP is aware of the limited availability of bus and ETS tickets, which began selling out early since March 19, 2024. This initiative will undoubtedly ease the financial burden on students with affordable ticket rates ranging from RM10 to RM35, depending on the destination.

"We are grateful to the UMPSA Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student and Alumni Affairs), Professor Ts. Dr. Mohd Rusllim Mohamed, for their support of this effort.

"Likewise, the UMPSA Foundation's donation of Raya cakes to students and cooperation with state children's associations have contributed to the success of this programme," he added.

Meanwhile, Muhamad Izwari Yahdi expressed strong support for UMPSA's initiative, which significantly eases the burden on students by providing affordable bus transport home, with ticket prices as low as RM35 compared to the original RM80 to Perlis.

By: Nor Salwana Mohammadd Idris, Centre for Corporate Communications

Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)