KOTA KINABALU: Rafida Saiddin, a 19-year-old student at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), has gained attention for arriving on registration day with a gunny sack.
The image of her unconventional travel choice caught the eye of Education Minister Fadlina Sidek and Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Mustapha Sakmud.
Rafida, who achieved straight As in her STPM, travelled six hours by bus from her hometown in Sandakan.
She said that her decision to use the gunny sack was practical, not a sign of financial hardship, as UMS allows students to bring only two pieces of luggage.
"I had a lot to bring. So I packed half of my things in the sack because if I had kept them separate, I might lose something.
"Half went in the sack and the rest in my luggage and backpack," she told the media at UMS here.
The younger of two siblings, Rafida revealed that the sack was originally used by her father for his business.
Her mother is a housewife, and her brother works as a factory operator in Selangor.
"As the first in my family to attend university, I aspire to become an accountant," she said.