PENANG, 28 October 2013 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) community expressed sadness pertaining to the tragedy caused by the release of water from the Sultan Abu Bakar Dam in Ringlet which led to a mud flood at Bertam Valley, Cameron Highlands, by sending 51 volunteers to help and clean up the affected area.

Five staff and 45 students were involved including a Biological Sciences student from Nigeria and they departed at 5.00 a.m. from here for an all day house-and-yard cleaning operations.

According to the coordinator of the volunteer group, Zulkifli Che’ Hussein, they arrived at 10.30 a.m. before the concerted effort to clean the affected houses begin.

“Our members were so enthusiastic despite the fact that some of them were injured by nails and also the challenging situation,” said Zulkifli, who is also the Head of Cultural and Volunteerism Unit of the Student Affairs Division at USM.

He said, before this, USM team of volunteers was also involved in helping people who are suffering due to natural disasters as well as helping those who are unfortunate and in dire need of help.

“In fact, recently, while the rest of Muslims celebrated Eid Al-Adha, our team went to help flood victims in Balik Pulau, Penang,” he added. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photos: Zulkifli Che' Hussein.