Kiulu teachers, students thank MP for bus transportation

TUARAN (Nov 7): The initiative by the Tuaran Parliamentary Constituency Service Center to fund bus transportation for around 60 students from Tun Fuad Stephens Secondary School (SMATSTEP) in Kiulu, following the recent closure of the Kiulu-Tamparuli road, has received a positive response.

SMATSTEP’s Senior Assistant of Student Affairs, Bandy Loo, expressed gratitude for the swift action taken by Tuaran Member of Parliament Datuk Seri Panglima Wilfred Madius Tangau, to assist the school with this transportation issue.

“The school requested help from the Tuaran Parliamentary Service Center to provide transportation for affected students from several villages, including Rangalau Baru, Rangalau Lama, Bungoliu and Tamparuli.

“We hope that the road repairs following the landslide and erosion can be expedited so students can return to their normal school routine. We are deeply grateful for the assistance,” Loo said.

Ellya Adryanna Roger, a Form Five student, shared that the free bus service has been a great relief, especially for students preparing for the upcoming Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) exams in December.

“I’m very happy because previously, we only had one bus that would come to our village.

“Other buses would only go to certain villages. Thanks to this free bus initiative, we no longer have to worry about lacking transportation to take us along the alternate route to school,” said Ellya, who is from Kampung Bungoliu.

Form Four student Evanda Maichel echoed Ellya.

Evanda, who is from Kampung Rangalau Baru, explained that the main Kiulu-Tamparuli road closure had greatly affected students’ ability to attend school.

“We feel relieved that the school and the Tuaran Parliamentary Service Center took this initiative to help us.

“Thank you Datuk Seri Madius for your care and attention toward us students,” said Evanda.

Welleryna Walter, a Form Five student, expressed hope that the transportation support would continue until the road is fully repaired and accessible again.

“This transportation funding initiative has greatly eased the burden for affected students,” said Welleryna, who hails from Kampung Kotunuan Baru.

For the record, the Tuaran Parliamentary Service Center has been funding transportation for the students since October 24, 2024, following a discussion with SMATSTEP on October 21.

The buses provided by the school transport morning-session students to SMATSTEP at 6am and return them to their respective villages at 2pm. Afternoon-session students are picked up at 11am and brought back at 6pm.