RAWANG, 19 March 2026: The campus mobility landscape at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is poised for a significant transformation through a strategic collaboration with Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn. Bhd. (Perodua), aimed at redefining the lifestyle and mobility ecosystem of the university campus community.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Perodua, Mr Zainal Abidin Ahmad, stated that the collaboration extends beyond service provision and represents a comprehensive transformation of campus mobility.
He explained that the key initiatives include the introduction of an integrated car rental service, along with the development of a digital application based on the Super App concept, integrating e-wallet functionality, entertainment features, and mobility access.
“This transformation aligns with global trends that are shifting towards electric vehicle adoption and mobility without ownership.
“Today’s younger generation prefers flexible mobility solutions such as mobility as a service, rather than owning private vehicles,” he said.
He further added that the rapid growth of e-hailing services and public transportation has further reinforced the evolving mobility landscape.
According to him, the initiative represents a proactive step towards establishing a more structured, intelligent, and user-friendly campus mobility system that is aligned with current demands.
Meanwhile, UUM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed, emphasised that transportation and student vehicle usage have long remained key challenges in campus management.
He noted that the existence of informal transport services, commonly referred to as “kereta sapu”, reflects the urgent need for a more structured and safer mobility system.
“This transportation issue is not new and requires a more comprehensive and sustainable approach to ensure the well-being of the campus community,” he said.
He also expressed UUM’s appreciation for Perodua’s commitment, which includes a funding contribution of RM350,000 over five years.
He said, the funding will be fully channelled towards supporting holistic student development, particularly through initiatives related to industry exposure and leadership empowerment.
In addition, the integration of Perodua’s digital platforms, such as P-Duit e-wallet and the P-Circle application, is expected to accelerate UUM’s aspiration of becoming a Smart Campus.
“The proposal to introduce car rental services and an on-campus vehicle service centre is also seen as a practical initiative that would benefit nearly 30,000 residents within the university community.
“Currently, an estimated 3,500 vehicles are present on the UUM campus,” he said.
He added that the presence of Perodua’s ecosystem in Sintok is expected to contribute to a more dynamic and modern campus environment.
In a related development, he also touched on global trends indicating increasing demand for compact vehicles, driven by fuel efficiency considerations and the rising cost of living.
Earlier, the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony between UUM and Perodua was held at Perodua’s Corporate Building in Rawang and was witnessed by representatives from both organisations.
This strategic collaboration has the potential to position UUM as a pioneer in implementing mobility-as-a-lifestyle concepts within Malaysian higher education institutions.
