KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has instructed the Ministry of Higher Education to coordinate appropriate assistance for the families of students from Sultan Idris Education University (UPSI) who were killed in a tragic road accident near Gerik early Monday morning (June 9).
In a heartfelt message posted on Facebook, Anwar said he and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, were deeply saddened to learn of the accident involving a bus and several vehicles, which claimed the lives of 15 UPSI students.
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"Our heartfelt condolences go out to all the families of the victims. We pray that you will be given strength and perseverance in facing this immense hardship," he said.
Anwar stressed that the tragedy underscored the importance of road safety and urged everyone to remain vigilant on the road.
"Lives are precious and irreplaceable. Let this serve as a reminder to all of us to always exercise caution and not rush to reach our destinations," he said.
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Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir also extended his condolences, stating that the ministry would provide all necessary assistance to those affected.
"Condolences to the families of the victims of the accident, which also involved members of Sultan Idris Education University. Further information will be updated in due course," he said in a brief Facebook post.
UPSI has expressed its grief over the incident, which occurred along the East-West Highway on the Gerik-Jeli route near Tasik Banding, around 1am.
"UPSI is grieving. May all matters be eased for the students involved in the road accident," said Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff in a Facebook post.
According to the Perak State Disaster Management Committee, the crash involved a bus carrying UPSI students and a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), resulting in 15 fatalities and a total of 48 victims.
