“Thank You My Heroes” - Operation of Sending Back UMP and East Zone IPTs Students Goes Smoothly

Kuantan, 14 May 2020 - The process of sending students back to their hometowns in Labuan, Sabah and Kuching, Sarawak was continued involving 18 students from Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) and other higher education institutions (IPTs) in Pahang.
This includes a student from Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI) who was stranded in Jengka following the Movement Control Order (MCO) and Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) directives.

These students headed to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) around 12.30 am after undergoing the standard operating procedures (SOP) such as health screening to ensure only healthy students are eligible to begin their journey. 

They received approval from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and the sanitation process was carried out by the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia.

They were also supplied with foods on the bus and for sahur.

There was also a ceremony appreciating the frontliners who had been working tirelessly in ensuring the success of sending the students back. 

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin who is also the chairman of the operation for the eastern zone attended to hand the appreciation certificate and donation to the frontliners who had been working since 30 April.

Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie also expressed his appreciation to the Pahang Contingent Police Headquarters, Taman Tas Fire and Rescue Department, UMP Health Centre, Department of Property Management & Development UMP, Security Division and other parties involved.

UMP and the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) appreciate the efforts and unwavering commitment given by all frontliners.

“The students have to go through the strict screening process because it is required by the SOP established by the National Security Council (NSC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH). 

“We not only manage UMP students but also other IPTs in Pahang.

“UMP has been appointed as the secretariat to coordinate the process of sending students back in the eastern zone,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Senior Manager of UMP Student Affairs and Alumni Department (SAFFAD), Haryani Abdullah said that currently, almost 400 UMP students are still in the campus compared to the initial 1,260 students stranded before this.

“Based on the data in the UMP Operation and Disaster Control Room, around 6,500 students from the eastern zone were coordinated by the university to be sent home, and some of them want to return to Borneo.

“We are waiting for further instructions from the state government and MOHE to send back the remaining students based on current developments.

“Once the approval is obtained, SAFFAD will contact the students and coordinate the operation,” she said.

She added that the students are always reminded to take care of themselves, keep the social distance, and stay at home.

“We hope that our commitment will help the government eradicate this Covid-19 pandemic,” she said.

By: Mohd. Ferdaus Musa, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of  Chemical and Process Engineering Technology