‘UPSI Berduka’: Book, fund and new crisis management guide follow Gerik bus crash that killed 15 var

UPSI documents Gerik tragedy in “UPSI Berduka” book as crisis management guide

RM2m raised for UPSI “Berduka” fund as university chronicles deadly Gerik bus crash

UPSI unveils safety reforms after Gerik tragedy, including travel and bus booking rules

PASIR PUTEH, June 7 — Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) has published a book titled UPSI Berduka, documenting the tragic road accident involving its students in Gerik, Perak, as a reference and guide for future crisis management and emergency response efforts.

UPSI vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff said the publication, which took nearly 10 months to complete, details the chronology of the tragedy, the seven phases of crisis management undertaken by the university in collaboration with various agencies, and personal accounts from those directly affected by the incident.

He said the book serves as a comprehensive record of the experiences of victims’ families, survivors, volunteers, rescue personnel, frontline workers and other parties involved throughout the management of the tragedy.

“This book does not merely recount the experiences of one group, but brings together the voices of the many individuals involved from the first day of the tragedy until the completion of the various processes concerning the victims and their families.

“We hope it will serve as a useful reference and guideline should a similar incident occur in the future, although we sincerely hope such a tragedy never happens again,” he told reporters after the “UPSI Tautan Kasih dan Ukhwah” programme with families affected by the Gerik tragedy in Tok Bali today.

Md Amin said the book is expected to be officially launched by Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir at the UPSI campus in the near future.

Meanwhile, he revealed that the “Tabung UPSI Berduka” fund, established in the aftermath of the tragedy, had successfully raised about RM2 million in contributions from various parties since the incident occurred.

The funds have been distributed in stages to all 42 affected victims and their next of kin, including injured students and the families of those who lost their lives.

“Today, we are distributing the remaining balance of RM210,000 from the fund, with each recipient receiving RM5,000 to ensure fair and equitable assistance for all affected parties,” he said.

He added that the fund will be officially closed in August, although donations will continue to be accepted until then.

In a related development, Md Amin said the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), through a special task force established following the tragedy, had introduced several measures aimed at enhancing student safety.

Among the initiatives implemented are discouraging students from travelling home during late-night hours, requiring the reporting of bus rental arrangements to universities, and introducing greater flexibility for online learning before and after short holiday periods.

He said these measures are intended to reduce the risks associated with rushed travel arrangements while ensuring that student welfare and safety remain a top priority.

The tragedy occurred in the early hours of June 9, 2025, when a bus carrying UPSI students travelling from Jertih, Terengganu, to Tanjung Malim, Perak, was involved in an accident with another vehicle along the East-West Highway near Banun, Gerik. The crash claimed the lives of 15 students and shocked the nation. — Bernama