GEORGE TOWN, May 24 – I have panicked because the clock shows 9.00 am, but I and my parents are still stuck in the unusual congestion at the Penang Bridge. I am determined to go down with the convocation robe and try my luck with the motorcyclists who are willing to take me to the USM Convocation Ceremony, ”said the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) graduate whose picture was spread on social media in an incident here this morning.
Kevin a/l Rayappan, 28, in his picture is seen holding the USM convocation robe on the bridge while trying his luck to stop the motorcyclists who are heading into the island. However, he was excited and grateful because there were people who were willing to take him to USM, apart from arriving safely to celebrate the success of graduating with a Master of Business Administration with friends.
Commenting on the anxious moment, Kevin said, he and his parents left their residence in Seberang Jaya at 6.30 am but did not expect severe congestion due to the fatal accident that occurred at the Penang Bridge. At first I hoped the congestion would not last long but after 9.00 am the vehicle was still not moving, I was determined to go down and look for an alternative because my dream was just to go up to the stage to receive the scroll today, ”he said. However, he was very moved because there are still good people willing to help.
I did not have time to have a long conversation with the noble man who was willing to dump me because I was in a hurry but I took this opportunity to thank him. Without his help, I may not have been able to get on stage today, ”said Kevin who was also happy because both his parents, Rayappan, 62 and Mary, 48, who continued driving, also arrived at USM to see him receive his degree.
Meanwhile, the management of the University and the Secretariat of the 59th USM Convocation Ceremony understood the difficulties experienced by the graduates at the fifth session today and postponed the ceremony for 30 minutes. The Convocation Ceremony which was supposed to start at 10.00 am was postponed until 10.30 to make way for those affected by the congestion as a result of the accident. The ceremony at the fifth conference was chaired by the Pro-Chancellor of USM, Tan Sri Datuk Dr. Zulkefli A. Hassan.
