By: Nik Mohamad Ridhwan Nik Nasrudin

SERDANG, 16 November 2025 – The evening atmosphere at the grounds of Menara Putra Warisan Budi, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), transformed as if returning to the era of the ancient Malay sultanate, with more than 200 attendees flooding the square to make the Nostalgia Alumni Link Night (MATNA): Kijang Mas Alumni Night Series 2 a success. This program was organized by the UPM Alumni Relations Centre (ARCUPM) in collaboration with the Student Affairs Division (BHEP), the Strategic and Corporate Relations Centre (PSPK), the Kelantan State Children's Welfare Association (D’Naim), and the Kijang Mas Dikir Barat Club.

The attendance, consisting of 25 Kijang Mas alumni and 35 student members of Dikir Barat Kijang Mas, along with hundreds of other spectators, remained steadfast even as drizzling rain soaked the earth. This resilient spirit proves that the bond between alumni and students does not fade due to the weather; in fact, they stayed loyal at the square until the end of the event. The occasion was enlivened by captivating performances from the Takisan Mas Merah Shadow Puppet Group, led by the young puppeteer, Megat Haikal. The puppeteer's agility in manipulating the shadow puppets behind the white screen successfully evoked the audience's longing for this heritage art.

Even more special, this performance featured classic characters such as Wok Yoh, Samad, and Said, along with the appearance of the special character 'Tok Wea', who represents Universiti Putra Malaysia and is the former President of the UPM Alumni Association. The storyline presented was rich with profound advice, subtle humor, and nostalgia from campus life at UPM, tickling the hearts of the audience, most of whom smiled as they reminisced about old memories.

The highly anticipated highlight of the event was the friendly dikir barat competition between students and alumni, which invigorated the atmosphere with extraordinary energy. The melodious and supple voices from the students, paired with the unwavering voices untouched by time from the alumni, demonstrated that the bond of brotherhood transcends generational divides. Set against the backdrop of the golden lights of Menara Putra Warisan Budi, this gathering became a symbol of unified aspirations. Most of the attending alumni acknowledged that this picnic concept is more intimate and successfully breaks down the barriers of formality between seniors and juniors.

The ceremony concluded at 10:30 pm with a group photography session in front of the clock tower, where students and alumni, elegantly donning tanjak headgear, captured memories as one big Kijang Mas family that always upholds the vision of With Knowledge We Serve.

Date of Input: 27/11/2025 | Updated: 27/11/2025 | nureedayu