Ten UMP drivers fulfil volunteer responsibility

PEKAN, 17 July 2021 - Every profession and every individual from various career backgrounds plays a role in combating the threat of the COVID -19 virus to ensure that the people and the country are always safe.

Apart from health and security personnel, there are also groups of superheroes who support the efforts and contribute when the country is still hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The hot situation for five hours by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) while carrying out the task of transferring COVID-19 patients from Kuantan to the Quarantine Centre of Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Muadzam Shah became a very valuable experience for UMP drivers, Affandi Kholek.

He was one of the 10 UMP drivers who volunteered to send COVID-19 patients to the COVID-19 Low-Risk Quarantine and Treatment Centre (PKRC) in Pahang.

According to Affandi, 45, despite having many driving duties but this time, it was totally different.

“It requires a more careful way of handling vehicles to reach the destination within the stipulated time.

“No doubt that carrying COVID-19 patients is the most challenging experience during my career because we are facing the danger of the deadly virus and at the same time ensuring the safety of the patients.

“Throughout the trip, we had to wear complete PPE including gloves and shoe coverings which was a bit awkward at first, but alhamdulillah I was able to perform the task entrusted to me,” he said.

He added that during his 13 years of service at UMP, this was the most challenging experience but very valuable.

“I am very grateful to be able to perform my duties well and had the opportunity to experience in helping the country that is struggling in combatting COVID-19.

“Before this, I often saw the frontliners wore PPE performing their duties, but this time I admit it is a big sacrifice that is not only hot, but the whole body is also wet.

“I am also very impressed with the frontliners for the experience of wearing this PPE for more than a year,” said this Kedah native.

When asked about his experience, he said that during the trip, they were not allowed to eat or drink and were not allowed to stop, including going to the toilet.

“However, the journey was smooth when they were also accompanied by the police.

“Upon arrival at the destination, we have to clean ourselves and rest for a while in the area provided while waiting for the bus to be sanitised before returning to Kuantan,” he said.

Meanwhile, his friend, Kamarulanua Abd Rahman, 47, said surely anyone would be worried to face this situation.

“However, the worry began to disappear when I gained my confidence and then prayed to Allah SWT.

“I consider this is the contribution we can deliver to UMP and the community.

“While carrying out the assigned tasks, we also placed great emphasis on personal safety and adhere to the standard operating procedures (SOP),” he said.

He said they were also not allowed to turn on the air conditioner along the way.

“As my own initiative after returning from work, I did not go home but stayed in the drivers’ room provided by the university as a precaution,” said the father of four children.

He also called on all parties to always abide by the established SOPs and have mercy on the frontliners who constantly face this depressing situation.

This is only part of the story of the sacrifices of UMP drivers who shoulder more roles than their essential responsibilities.

Also volunteering were Mohd Zaidi Mohamad Zaki, Kaharuddin Abdul Karim, Azahar Abd Rahim, Pauzi Husain, Mohd Azman Daud, Muhamad Nazri Ismail, Shahnizam Abdul Rani and Hisamudin Hamid.

This cooperation was coordinated by the Centre for Property Management and Development (PPPH) together with the Public Works Department (JKR) Mechanical Engineering Branch as the Chairman of the Pahang State Transport and Logistics Committee of COVID-19.

Since last week (15 July), UMP drivers were also involved in sending students back to their hometowns on a scheduled basis in conjunction with the Semester 2020/2021 break coordinated by the Student Affairs Department (JHEP) in ensuring students arrive safely at their respective destinations.

By: Nor Salwana Mohd Idris, Corporate Communications Unit, The Office of The Vice-Chancellor
Translation by: Dr. Rozaimi Abu Samah, Engineering College/Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology