PLUS Malaysia takes siblings on the road less travelled in heartwarming Raya film

Highway concessionaire Projek Lebuhraya Utara Selatan (PLUS) Malaysia has released a heartwarming short film for Ramadan and Hari Raya titled “Kias rindu” ('a longing feeling'), starring local actresses Sharifah Amani and Aziza Kazan, as well as actors Aziz Osman and Syafeq Rydza Radzy. 

While some parents ask their children to “Baliklah Raya ni,” ('come home this Raya'), others such as the ones depicted in the film, find other creative ways to spend time with their busy working children. The video leans into the everyday moments that happen in real families, the ones we often overlook. 

Parents miss their children, but they know that asking them straight up will not always work, as their children lead busy lives with packed work schedules. So instead, they turn to small, harmless excuses, or any reason that might bring their children home. 

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"Kias rindu" which gained one million organic views in less than 24 hours, begins with a girl named Lia. Lia works in the city and is called back to her kampung ('hometown') by her mother to fix a “broken” TV. Soon after, her brother Alif shows up to fix a leak in the ceiling which their father called him in for. Before they know it, the siblings are invited to stay for dinner as they live about two hours away from their hometown.  
 
It doesn’t stop there, as their parents continue to call the siblings over to help with every little and random problem such as a failed WiFi connection, the fuse box, dropping a phone into water, a flat tyre, and being locked inside the house. The siblings travel far along the highways to help their parents out every single time. However, as the story unfolds, frustration turns into realisation. At the dinner table, with sambal bilis on their plates, the children start to see the reason behind it all. Their parents never really needed help, they just needed them home. 

PLUS Malaysia’s managing director Nik Airina Nik Jaffar said, "Home is all about family, and for many, the journey means everything. ‘Kias rindu’ is a light-hearted film, but as a highway operator, we carry a big responsibility. We are honoured to be part of a team that works tirelessly to ensure travelers make it back to their loved ones safely.” 

“No matter how far apart they may be, we want to make sure families can reunite safely while staying true to our purpose of connecting communities to shape a safe and sustainable future,” she added.  

Meanwhile, Hafidz Ismail, head of strategic communications and customer experience, PLUS Malaysia, said that the creative drive behind ‘Kias rindu’ was special. “It takes something so simple and turns it into a story that lingers with you. It is not exaggerated, not overly dramatic, just everyday moments that many of us have been through. Maybe this is why it hits home and touched so many people — they see themselves in it in their own way," said Hafidz.

"Kias rindu”, produced by Reservoir World, is now available on TikTok, YouTube, and other social media platforms. It will also be featured on selected Astro TV channels. 

On most festive seasons, PLUS has been releasing short films or ads within the theme of traveling home or Malaysians’ journey on the highway. This is either in efforts to bring a warm touch to the busy holiday seasons, or to remind travelers to drive safely.  

In January, the highway concessionaire also released a Chinese New Year film about a father who brings his son on a long shopping trip. Just as the son gets frustrated, he sees that his father’s annoying shopping trips are meant for blessing others with festive snacks and gifts.  

Just as in “Kias rindu”, the short film “Shou xin” also features a scene where the main character uses their phone to call on the PLUS emergency services to fix their flat tyres. In both films, PLUS and its film production partners have managed to blend emotional storytelling with safety awareness, all within the theme of road travelling.  

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