First batch of UTeM, UMK students arrive home

The first batch of 28 students from Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) arrived safely at their respective destinations in three states, namely Melaka, Negeri Sembilan and Johor early this morning.

UTeM deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs) Nurulfajar Abd Manap said the return of students to 12 areas in the three states started at 9pm last night and the last vehicle safely returned to UTeM’s main campus at Durian Tunggal, Alor Gajah near here at 5.30am this morning.

He said the three main things that delighted UTeM were the smooth return of students to their hometowns, compliance with standard operating procedures (SOP) and the good cooperation of the entire machinery of government agencies involved.

“Overall, the aspects of compliance with SOPs were implemented successfully in respect to students, staff and the vehicles involved right from the start to finish.

"All the vehicles used were once again disinfected soon after sending off the students and before heading back to UTeM's main campus,” he said in a statement today.

UTeM vice-chancellor, Raha Abdul Rahim said the smooth momentum set in sending back the first batch of students is hoped to be maintained to ensure the smooth movement of the second batch of students from the central zone scheduled for next Monday (May 4).

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on April 23 announced that students who had been stranded on campus during the enforcement of the movement control order (MCO) would be allowed to return to their families in accordance with the conditions set.

Bernama had earlier reported that there were about 100,000 students involved, citing Defence Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Meanwhile, the operation to send Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) students home in the eastern zone exercise went smoothly yesterday, said deputy vice-chancellor (student affairs and alumni) Zaliman Sauli.

He said the process which involved sending 128 UMK students and 11 students from other institutions in the eastern zone to their home in Pahang, Terengganu and the state itself, started at 9pm last night.

“They were part of the 1,000 UMK students who have been stranded on campus for more than 40 days since the MCO came into force on March 18.

“The entire exercise was conducted in compliance with SOPs set by the National Security Council (NSC) and the Health Ministry (MOH).

“We have also taken preliminary measures to ensure the safety of students for the journey home,” he said in a statement today.

Zaliman said the university’s health centre had also conducted body temperature tests and health screening to ensure the students were fit to travel.

The Kelantan Fire and Rescue Department also assisted in sanitising students’ luggage before they were brought by buses to their respective destinations.

Other than the eastern zone, the process of sending UMK students home in stages also involves six other zones namely the central zone (May 2), northern zone (May 3), southern zone (May 6) and Perak zone (May 10) while Sarawak and Sabah zones will be notified later.

- Bernama