Tioman Island Father Navigates Sea Daily for Kids' School

Daily Sea Commute Highlights Island Life Challenges

On 15 May, a father’s daily boat journey across Pulau Tioman’s waters drew public attention. The trip highlighted the struggles island communities face in accessing basic education.

For the past seven years, 42-year-old Jamaluddin Musa has ferried his children, Armin, 10, and Aida, 7, to school by boat. He as been making the trip every day, regardless of weather conditions.

Living in Kampung Salang, where no road connects to the school, the family’s only alternative to a four-hour trek through hilly jungle is by sea. Their daily routine starts with a motorbike ride to the jetty, followed by a 10-minute boat trip and another motorbike ride to the school.

Father’s Dedication Powers Daily Journey

Jamaluddin, a scuba diving instructor, uses his maritime skills to navigate changing tides and unpredictable weather. The family has faced various challenges, including an incident where the boat’s engine fell into the sea mid-journey.

He rowed the boat back to shore using a paddle after the engine failed. Later, he spent RM6,000 from his savings on a new engine. Despite the cost and risks, he and his Hungarian wife, Rozalia Bodi, chose not to send their children to the school dormitory.

They prefer to raise and monitor their children at home.

Local Knowledge Passed to the Next Generation

Jamaluddin has begun teaching Armin to operate the boat under his supervision. A recent video of Armin navigating the vessel in his school uniform went viral on TikTok, impressing viewers with the boy’s composure and skills.

Beyond academic education, Jamaluddin wants his children to gain maritime knowledge, reflecting the reality of life on the island.

Armin is already active in school sports, including water-based activities.

Viewer Reactions

Viewers were quick to express well wishes for the family.

Lets not judge things from negative to positive but instead look at the values hardships and sacrifices shown in the video

For many people that is a dream. For this young brother it’s everyday life.

Many commended the family’s efforts.

Just by watching how he drives the boat you can tell hes an expert.

I love seeing island kids go to school even though they have to cross the sea. As a teacher sometimes I feel sad seeing my own students who live nearby but dont want to go…

A Story of Commitment and Resilience

While Pulau Tioman is celebrated for its tourist appeal, stories like Jamaluddin’s highlight the silent perseverance of its residents. His routine, driven by a strong belief in education’s value, shows the sacrifices many make for their children’s opportunities.

In a time when education is often taken for granted, this father’s daily boat ride through rough seas is a powerful reminder. For some, the journey to learning begins with a boat ride at dawn.

Watch the videos here:

@scubanaut16

Armin dari pra 2019 sampai sekarang hari-hari naik bot pergi sekolah Macam-macam dugaan dah rasa Hujan,ribut,ombak, air pasang surut. Semoga jadi anak yg berjasa. #ayah #myroutine #sekolah #fyp #foryou #armin #pulautioman

♬ AYAH AKU RINDU – Tri Suaka

@scubanaut16

Kalau di sekolah Armin Aida ada anugerah ayah terbaik mungkin ayah dapat sb ayah bukan saja jaga nyawa anak-anak ayah tp nyawa anak-anak orang lain ke sekolah.6 tahun bukan masa yg pendek,enjin bot jatuh dlm laut terpaksa ayah beli baru rm6k utk anak-anak ayah ke sekolah. Alhamdulillah Allah SWT memberi rezeki yg lebih atas pergorbanan ayah 😍 #behindthestory #ayah #myroutine #viraltiktok #sktekekpulautioman

♬ WARISAN_pesan bonda – ꧁ 𝑹.𝒌𝒂𝒚_𝑶𝒇𝒇𝒊𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍 ꧂