Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia: Reflections from UKM alumni-turned-SMG editors

Sarban Singh Ranjit (2nd from left), next to former Star Media Group reporter P. Bala Kumar, at their convocation.

For sons of a Federated Malay States Guide-turned-jaga, going to university was a big achievement for my twin and me. When those acceptance letters came – mine from UKM, my brother’s from a university up north – our hearts were filled with pride, joy and a bit of trepidation.

For the first time in our 20 years, we’d be separated from each other. our family and also our kampung. Fortunately for me, I would be closer to home. The UKM campus in Bangi was a 40-minute drive from my kampung in Seremban, though it also meant changing three buses to get home.