KOTA KINABALU: When Rafida Zaiddin packed her belongings into a gunny sack, she had no idea her modest choice would capture the attention of thousands.
As the youngest of two siblings from the quiet fishing village of Kampung Sim-Sim in Sandakan, Rafida's journey to Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) marks a significant milestone in her life.
"I used a plastic sack to carry all my necessities during the registration for new students at UMS to avoid losing any items during the six-hour bus journey," Rafida recalled, reflecting on the viral moment that unexpectedly brought her into the spotlight.
Like many students arriving at UMS, Rafida faced the challenge of packing her life into just two pieces of luggage, a requirement set by the university to streamline hostel registration. With limited resources, her father suggested using a white rice gunny sack to keep her belongings organised.
"I did not have a large suitcase, so I packed half of my belongings into the gunny sack. The rest I fit into a small suitcase and backpack," she said.
For the first-year accountancy student, it was a practical solution to a simple problem and she never anticipated that it would become a viral story.
"After the story spread, a senior student came to my room and asked about the sack. At first, I thought I might have taken someone else's belongings, but they were just curious about me," she shared during an interview after the registration exercise on Tuesday (Oct 1).
Rafida's situation gained significant attention, catching the eye of the Education Minister, Fadhlina Sidek, who reached out via video call. During their heartfelt conversation, the Minister inquired about Rafida's well-being and financial situation. To her surprise, Fadhlina transferred RM3,000 to help ease her burden.
"She asked if I had enough money for my studies. I told her yes, but she sent the funds anyway and I am grateful for the gesture," Rafida said.
Support poured in from various quarters, with university officials and even strangers eager to help. Rafida mentioned that she had already applied for the Sabah State Government Scholarship and received one-time cash assistance for higher education registration through the BUDI programme.
She is well aware of the financial strain her family faces, with her father working as a small-scale fruit seller back home. UMS Vice-Chancellor, Professor Datuk Dr. Kasim Mansor, also took note of Rafida's situation, instructing the university's Student Affairs Department to assist students like her.
He assured that UMS would ensure students requiring financial or emotional support receive the necessary help.
