KUALA LUMPUR – The “balik kampung” journey for Aidilfitri can be an anxious time for single women who travel alone and must also make the return trip by themselves.
Scoop spoke to several solo women travellers at KL Sentral station who shared their experiences and tips, in hopes of helping others feel safer during their journey.
Nurul Hawa Farahin, 24, frequently takes the bus from Kuala Lumpur where she studies to her hometown in Penang.
“I always go back alone. You have to be smart about taking care of yourself and be aware of your surroundings,” the mass communications student said.
This includes taking photos of the bus licence plate and sharing it with family members.
She also shares her live location from her phone’s GPS with them throughout her journey.
Hawa recounted one time when she got two bus stations mixed up and arrived at her destination around 1am. When she reached it, the station was deserted.
“I got confused between Penang and Penang Sentral – which are two different stops – and ended up being left alone at the station because there were no Grab drivers or taxis available.
Hence, she said that being aware of one’s surroundings and researching stops in advance is always useful.
23-year-old Syahmina Syahirah from Kedah also takes the bus alone to her home in Alor Star every Aidilfitri.
“I do not have the funds to fly back so I have to take the bus.
“These bus rides are usually five to six hours long, and I get nervous because anything can happen during that time.
She also said she noted the bus licence number and shared her live location with family, like Hawa.
Her worst experience to date was dealing with a rude passenger who sat in her seat and refused to vacate it.
“I had to change from the single seat that I paid for to a regular seat (two seats side-by-side) because the passenger did not vacate my seat. The bus driver was also unhelpful,” she said.
This was an upsetting experience, she added, as she had paid extra for the single seat.
However, Syahmina’s experience was not as bad as Yusren Yusoff’s who was photographed and followed by a stranger.
The 23-year-old intern at a local news outlet said she was about to take a train to Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre and was standing on a station escalator when a man walked past her quickly while taking her photo.
“I could not reach my phone because my hands were full. I noticed the guy was staring at me for a long time and began following me. I tried to find a guard, but there was no one,” she said.
She got on a train and headed for the busiest coach to shake off the stalker.
“It was terrifying and upsetting that there was no security guard at the station. I hope for improvements in this regard for people’s safety.” – April 8, 2024