Engines roar at UMPSA as over 120 luxury and antique vehicles roll in

GAMBANG, 27 July 2025 – The usually quiet Chancellery Grounds at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) roared to life today as more than 100 gleaming luxury and vintage cars, along with 20 high-powered motorcycles, arrived in style for the Friendly Reception and Luxury & Antique Car Gathering (Majlis Ramah Mesra dan Perhimpunan Kereta Mewah dan Antik), held in conjunction with the Kuantan Festival 188.

The convoy’s grand arrival was met with cheers from over 100 UMPSA students and the delighted smiles of 60 children from Permata Camar Orphanage and Nur Iman Kuantan Orphan and Poor Welfare Organisation. Adding to their excitement, the children were given the rare chance to ride in some of the vehicles as part of the convoy to Menara Kuantan 188.

Among those welcoming the convoy was UMPSA’s Assistant Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and International Affairs (Internationalisation), Professor Datin Ts. Dr. Mimi Sakinah Abdul Munaim, representing Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Yatimah Alias.

Also present were Director of the Corporate Communications Centre (PKK), Mimi Rabita Abdul Wahit; Vice President of Team Tunink and MMK 8139, Muhammad Irham Hafiz Badrul Hisham; and representatives from The Driverz Club Organising Committee, Tan Kok Ho, Tan Ying Chyuan, Izyan Syafinaz Ahmad Haspan, and Malcolm Koo. 

Joining them were Haji Badrul Huzaini Mohd Yusof, Chairman of the Nur Iman Kuantan Orphan and Poor Welfare Organisation, and Haji Abdul Rahman Abdullah, Chief Operating Officer of the Permata Camar Orphanage Welfare Body.

Professor Datin Ts. Dr. Mimi Sakinah said this was the second time UMPSA had hosted such a gathering in collaboration with Menara Kuantan 188.

“It’s always exciting to see luxury cars, classic beauties, and high-powered motorcycles up close, especially for our students and the Paya Besar community.

We’re honoured to once again be chosen as a stopover location for the K188 Cars & Coffee programme, giving our university community a taste of the vibrant automotive culture before the convoy heads to Kuantan,” she said.

She also mingled with guests and personally waved off the convoy as they continued their journey to Menara Kuantan 188.

For Muhammad Irham, the partnership between UMPSA and Menara Kuantan 188 is something worth celebrating.

“Most of our participants are from Kuala Lumpur, and UMPSA is the perfect pit stop for them to rest before the final leg to Menara Kuantan 188,” he shared.

Among the excited faces in the crowd was new Diploma student Muhammad Harraz Hazkhirie, who had just registered for the 2025/2026 intake on 19 July.

“This is definitely a day to remember. Not only did I get to join in the activities with my friends, but I also won a Menara Kuantan 188 ticket voucher in the quiz.

As someone who loves the automotive world, this experience means a lot to me,” he said.

The gathering was part of the wider celebrations marking the birthdays of His Majesty the Sultan of Pahang and Her Majesty the Tengku Ampuan Pahang, with various events and activities taking place, including Cars & Coffee.

The Kuantan Festival 188 offering a packed three-day schedule from 25 to 27 July also hosted the Royal Pahang F3000 Powerboat Championship, base jumping, the Royal Pahang Dragon Boat Regatta, and the thrilling K188 Towerthon - all making for an unforgettable celebration for all of the people in the state of Pahang.

By: Wallid Wahidi Hamzah, Centre for Corporate Communications
Translation by: Aminatul Nor Mohamed Said, UMPSA Career Centre (UMPSACC)