PUTRAJAYA: Some 1,128 students in local higher education institutions will begin their journey home beginning Monday (April 27) night, as the government begins its first phase of allowing students stuck in their respective dormitories to return home.
According to Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob (pic), 863 students from the central region will be returning home to the northern region on Monday night, while 265 students will be returning from the northern region to the central region beginning Tuesday (April 28) night.
The students, who hail from nine local universities, will be placed on 49 buses headed to 17 locations.
Ismail Sabri also said that the buses involved and the students’ baggage will be sanitised about three hours before the journey.
Ismail Sabri also assured that the students involved would not have an empty stomach while breaking fast during their journey back to their respective homes, as Marrybrown and Gardenia have sponsored food for them.
“The government always welcomes sponsorship by the private sector. If any groups are interested, they can contact the Higher Education Ministry, ” he said during his daily briefing in Putrajaya on Monday.
Meanwhile, Ismail Sabri said the government will begin sending students back to Sarawak and Sabah from May 1, where they will be flown to four airports in their respective regions – Sultan Mahmud airport in Terengganu, Penang International Airport, Senai International Airport and KL International Airport.
“They will be flown to the nearest airport to their respective home towns, ” added Ismail Sabri. – The Star