Home / How RKS came back
It began with a student fund
Old university houses, a student union that would not let them stand empty, and four committees of residents. This is the short history of Rumah Kediaman Siswa.
2019
A fund to bring old houses back
In 2019 Universiti Malaya agreed to let Kesatuan Mahasiswa Universiti Malaya (KMUM) look after a group of university houses in Section 16, provided the union could find the money to repair them.
KMUM raised RM270,000 in donations from outside the university. The houses were restored and opened to senior students from lower income families who had no place in a residential college.
2022
Rumah Kediaman Siswa is founded
In August 2022 the Ministry of Higher Education called a discussion on how the houses should be managed. KMUM asked that they stay as homes for students in need.
The same year, Rumah Kediaman Siswa was founded: university houses kept for the students who need them most.
2023
Residents take the lead
In 2023 the first Jawatankuasa RKS (JK RKS) took office: residents chosen to look after the houses and the people in them.
On 22 November 2023 KMUM brought Agihan Foodbank RKS to the houses.
2026
The fourth committee, and a new chapter
In August 2026 the fourth JK RKS took office. Today there are six houses, three for women and three for men.
The university owns and maintains the houses, KMUM manages RKS on behalf of students, and two PICs look after every house.
Where we are
Six houses in Section 16
RKS is in Section 16, Petaling Jaya. KK9, the FBL gate and the UM Japan Apartment are the landmarks most residents use.
* RKS 1, 2 and 3 (women's houses) are not shown, for residents' privacy. Imagery: Esri, Maxar, Earthstar Geographics.
Terima kasih, KMUM.
And to everyone who gave in 2019, so that the students who came after would have a home.
Keep reading
Meet the houses and the people
See the six houses, or meet the students who look after them.