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TAWAU: Joy was clearly visible on the faces of 150 students from Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Kuala Apas here after they were selected to shop for school supplies through the MYAirportCARES Back-to-School Programme with Malaysia Airports. 

The students had the opportunity to purchase new supplies such as school uniforms, stationery, shoes, school bags and other related necessities. 

SK Kuala Apas is one of the schools under the Malaysia Airports’ MADANI Adopted School programme. The students were entitled to the necessities, valued at RM400 per student.

In addition, bursary assistance totaling RM82,000 was also channeled to the entire 410 students for the purchase of books and sports attire.

Making the shopping session even more special at Bataras Hypermarket, Jalan Chong Thien Vun, was the presence of Malaysia Airports Managing Director, Dato’ Mohd Izani Ghani, as well as Airport Managers from airports nationwide, who volunteered their time.

According to him, the programme is a proactive step by Malaysia Airports in implementing the MYAirportCARES Corporate Responsibility (CR) initiative to continue the company’s commitment to supporting communities around its airport network through two main programmes- the Back-to-School and the Educational Airport Tour .

Both programmes focus on students from needy families, providing learning-related assistance and exposure to the airport sector.

Meanwhile, 2025 marked a new achievement as both programmes were carried out in collaboration with schools under the MADANI Adopted School programme spearheaded by the Malaysian government, enabling assistance and educational exposure to be channeled more systematically to the most deserving communities.

“For the very first time, all airport managers from across the country came down as volunteers to engage with the students during the shopping activity,” he said, adding that the same programme will also be held in Penang.

For the Educational Airport Tour programme, students get the opportunity  to  visit airports, understand daily operations, and explore career potential within the airport management sector. First introduced in 2023, the programme has now been expanded to the  community around STOLports.

He said that this year, students from SK and SMK Sungai Rawang in Sepang, as well as SK Lubok Nibong in Marudi, Sarawak, who are part of the Malaysia Airports’ MADANI Adopted School programme were also involved.

“On December 3, 2025, a total of 30 students and 16 teachers from SK Lubok Nibong participated in an educational visit to Miri Airport, which included sessions with the fire and rescue team, aviation security, terminal operations, customer experience, and facility tours,” he said.

Elaborating further, he mentioned that MYAirportCARES is their way of contributing to the future of the younger generation in communities surrounding the airport network.

He stated that from basic school assistance to exposure to the world of airport operations, the effort aims to create a better learning environment for students in need.

“This year, we are pleased to be able to collaborate with the MADANI Adopted School initiative to ensure our support is channelled to the most eligible groups.

“This is part of our long-term commitment to help build confidence, inspiration, and opportunities for students nationwide,” he added.

For the record, since its launch, the Back-to-School programme, which began in 2018, has benefited more than 4,500 students across Malaysia, while the Educational Airport Tour programme has benefited over 5,500 students since 2023.

Both programmes now serve as the main pillars of MYAirportCARES in supporting educational development and strengthening ties with communities near airports managed by Malaysia Airports.

Insight into airport ops motivates students

MOST of the SK Kuala Apas Tawau students interviewed during the programme expressed their excitement, joy, and gratitude for being selected to participate in the meaningful event, which helps alleviate the burden on their parents in preparing school necessities for the upcoming year.

For Munira Muriyadi, 12, from Kg Sg Apas, Batu 15 Jalan Apas, the opportunity was used to purchase a school baju kurung (traditional uniform), sports trousers, stationery, and books.

“Thank you Malaysia Airports for this assistance which helps reduce my mother’s expenses... Previously, even though times were tough, my mother still tried her best to provide all my school supplies and feed me.

“Thank you once again for being willing to help us, as some of us may be facing hardship and are in desperate need of assistance to buy school clothes and items,” said the youngest of two siblings who has lost her father.

She is determined to study hard to achieve her dream of becoming a teacher one day, to repay her mother’s sacrifices.

Her neighbour, Nur Shahida Johansyah, nine, could not hide her satisfaction in being involved in the programme, saying:

“I am very happy shopping today because I can buy whatever I want, but according to the stipulated rules (item limit). Today I bought school uniforms, writing equipment, exercise books, and food,” she said cheerfully.

According to the only child, she previously only shopped with her parents, but this time was more exciting as she shopped collectively with her school friends in a lively atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Nur Atiqah Aliyah Mohd Rizan, 10, from Kg Wawasan Batu 15, Jalan Apas, shared the good fortune with her younger brother, who will enter Year One in 2026, by purchasing him a school uniform, coloured pencils, and a school bag, just like herself who was selected for the programme.

The second of three siblings said that before this, their family usually shopped accompanied by their parents, but this time it was gratifying to be able to purchase school necessities earlier for next year’s use with their school friends. For Mohammad Ammar Herwan, 10, the opportunity to shop with Malaysia Airports through the MYAirportCARES Back-to-School Programme was fully utilised to purchase the necessary supplies for the start of next year’s school session.

He deeply appreciated the efforts of Malaysia Airports for helping them complete their school needs, which made not only them happy but also their parents.

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Parent, Community, and Private Sector Involvement (PIBKS) of SK Kuala Apas, Cikgu Suhaimi Taif (pictured), stated that the school, under the Selection Committee, convened to select the students who would be involved in the programme.

According to him, those selected were students in the low income group who did not have a fixed income and worked as fishermen, farmers, and some were self-employed.

“We evaluated their potential based on the standard of living of the less fortunate families compared to other students at SK Kuala Apas, and we successfully identified 150 students to participate in this programme,” he said.

Suhaimi also expressed gratitude to Malaysia Airports for choosing SK Kuala Apas for the project. He admitted that the programme had a huge impact on the school, which was selected for the first time.

“Honestly, this is the first time our school has participated in, or been chosen as, a MADANI Adopted School by Malaysia Airports through the MYAirportCARES Programme, and this is the first time our students have been involved in such a large-scale project.

“Thank you, Malaysia Airports... Our hope is that programmes like this can be continued in the future as a step to prepare the students who will be entering the school session next year.

“It is very clear, through this programme, we see that the students are very happy when given the opportunity to choose their own school necessities like shoes, clothing, stationery, and so on. We hope such good programmes will be continued by Malaysia Airports,” he added.

In a double dose of joy, the students will also have a priceless experience of being treated to lunch at a famous restaurant in the district, after their joyful shopping trip.