Gerik: The Ministry of Higher Education (KPT) has raised RM1.7 million through the Prihatin Fund to support the victims and families affected by the Gerik bus tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of 15 students from Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir announced that the funds collected were contributions from 40 public and private higher learning institutions, including polytechnics and community colleges, as well as state government agencies, financial institutions, and corporate bodies. The special fund, managed by UPSI, will be distributed to recipients in stages, with RM371,000 already disbursed to affected students and their families.
“The RM1.7 million will be given to the families of the victims, and I leave it to the secretariat led by the UPSI Vice-Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff, to manage the fund. The higher learning institutions have mobilised their students, staff, and others to contribute,” Dr Zambry stated during the Tahlil Perdana ceremony for the bus tragedy victims at Dewan Tuanku Canselor UPSI.
The event was attended by Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, and Perak Education, Higher Education, Youth, and Sports Committee chairman Khairudin Abu Hanipah.
Dr Zambry also contributed a month’s salary of his ministership to the fund, showing solidarity with the compassion of Malaysians. Md Amin mentioned that the KPT Prihatin Fund is expected to close this Friday, with the remaining funds to be given directly to the families, aiming to finalize the process within the week.
UPSI’s Corporate Communications Division reported that the Tahlil ceremony attracted around 5,000 students, staff members, and residents. During the event, Dr Zambry received mock cheques from contributing parties, including universities and corporations such as Syarikat Takaful Malaysia, Malaysian Takaful Association, Lumut Port, Etiqa Takaful, Hong Leong Takaful, and several banking institutions.
The tragic incident occurred on June 9 when 15 UPSI students were killed in an accident involving a chartered bus and a Perodua Alza MPV along the East-West Highway near Tasik Banding, Gerik. The crash also injured 33 others, including the bus driver, assistant, and the driver and three passengers of the MPV.