Armed with pressure washers, cleaning tools and a determination to help, 30 students from Universiti Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Institute of Marine Engineering Technology (UniKL MIMET) crossed the Pangkor Strait to help residents recover from flash floods that had disrupted daily life on the island.
The volunteer mission, carried out on 20 October 2026 in Kampung Masjid, Pulau Pangkor, Perak, saw students join post-flood recovery efforts to clear mud, debris and flood-damaged areas, including classrooms and prayer spaces at Sekolah Rendah Agama Rakyat (SRAR) Ahmadiah.
Following days of heavy rainfall, parts of the island were affected by flooding that left public areas, drainage systems and school facilities covered in mud and debris.
Recognising the urgent need for assistance, UniKL MIMET’s Student Representative Committee (SRC) mobilised volunteers from eight student organisations, demonstrating how university students can contribute directly to community recovery during challenging circumstances.
At SRAR Ahmadiah, volunteers worked to remove accumulated mud, clean classrooms, sanitise affected facilities and restore communal spaces.
Working in designated teams, the students also pressure-washed school grounds, cleared clogged drainage lines and helped salvage affected community assets.
Their efforts supported the reopening of classrooms and prayer spaces, enabling the school to resume religious education activities following the flood disruption.
Beyond the school compound, volunteers assisted with cleaning public areas in Kampung Masjid, helping residents restore spaces used for daily activities and community gatherings.
For many residents, particularly older community members, recovering from the floods required considerable physical effort. The presence of student volunteers provided much-needed assistance while easing some of the burden of clearing affected areas.
The relief mission brought together students from the Student Representative Committee (SRC), Residential College Committee (RCC), Rejimen Askar Wataniah and Sekretariat Rakan Muda (SRM).
They were joined by members of the Marine Engineering Technology Society (METS), UniKL MIMET Esports Club, UniKL MIMET Dragonboat Club (MDC) and Naval Architecture Club (NAC).
Accompanied by Mohamad Firdaus Hamid, Sports Officer at UniKL MIMET, the team coordinated its activities with local representatives, including resident Muhammad Latif Saad.
Despite receiving the call for assistance at short notice, the student committee managed to gather volunteers, arrange ferry transportation and organise the relief mission within a day.
The volunteers also encountered students from Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), who were similarly assisting with flood recovery efforts.
For Maszlyana Nalzeefa, Vice President of UniKL MIMET’s Student Representative Committee 2026, witnessing students from different backgrounds working towards a common goal reflected the spirit of volunteerism among Malaysian youth.
“Pangkor is right here in our maritime backyard. No matter your background or club banner, when the waters rise, we rise to serve,” she said.
The experience reinforced how students from different academic disciplines and extracurricular interests can come together in times of need, setting aside their differences to support a community facing hardship.
Dr. Sarah Nadiah Rashidi, Deputy Dean of Student Development and Campus Lifestyle (SDCL), UniKL MIMET, commended the students for their willingness to contribute to the relief effort.
“Technical knowledge means nothing without a heart for the community,” she said, emphasising the importance of encouraging more hands-on corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives that connect students with surrounding communities.
UniKL MIMET’s post-flood recovery initiative supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, through community recovery and efforts to restore flood-affected facilities.
Its contribution to cleaning and reopening educational spaces aligns with SDG 4: Quality Education, while the collective efforts of student volunteers, local residents and volunteers from other universities reflect the collaborative spirit of SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
The cleanup and sanitation activities also relate to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being, particularly through efforts to improve the cleanliness of community facilities following the floods.
