UPLIFTING LIVES OF VILLAGERS
Petronas empowers sabah’s Banggi Island residents with solar energy
A WAVE of cheer and applause broke the evening silence in Kampung Semayan, in the northern part of Banggi Island off Sabah’s Kudat district, as the village community finally got to switch on the lights at their homes after living without electricity for decades.
Most of us take lighting for granted, but these villagers have dwelled in the dark all this while.
Now, they do not have to be left behind, as PETRONAS through its subsidiary PETRONAS Floating LNG (PFLNG) has come forward with solar energy to power their homes under the second phase of its Uplifting Lives – Rays of Hope programme.
“We have been living without any electricity power source for decades. Our family uses oil lamps and torchlights as well as alternative energy sources such as batteries to operate our electrical appliances,” said 74-yearold Hadiah Daud.
She said that at her age, she almost gave up hope of ever enjoying electricity supply like other Malaysians and was more than elated when informed that hers would be among the homes in Kampung Semayan to be hooked to solar energy.
Kampung Semayan is nestled several hours away from Banggi’s main town, and one would have to travel on gravel and dirt road past oil palm estates to reach the village.
There is a school here powered by generators, which are also the main source of electricity for villagers to charge their handphones.
Hadiah said the villagers would have to be very careful and economical with their usage of oil lamps because the fuel to light up the lamps can only be purchased from a petrol station in Kota Kinabalu.
“So, if we run out of the oil, we have to travel for a few hours from here to Banggi town, take a 45-minute to an hour’s boat ride to Kudat, then take a bus to Kota Kinabalu,” she said, adding that five litres of the fuel cost about RM20 and would last up to two months if used wisely.
Local caterer Sufiana Johari, 25, said her house was installed with solar panels, light bulbs and a fan on Aug 9, and her whole family was so overjoyed they could hardly sleep that night.
“Can you imagine having to go to bed early every day and doing our chores using just a flashlight or oil lamps in the evening for years? So, of course when we finally have light, we celebrate,” said the mother of three.
She said they were so happy that they could not stop talking, singing with neighbours, or just hanging out on the balcony.
“It feels like we’ve achieved true independence with this gift of light that we received from PETRONAS during this National Day month,” Sufiana added.
Year Three pupil Shakira Abdul Saleh was clearly delighted when the lights were turned on at her house, smiling nonstop. The shy nine-year-old loved to draw and she was already on the floor drawing away immediately after that.
Her mother Majidah Masuah, 48, said that when dusk descended, they usually used a flashlight or oil lamps as Shakira needed to do her homework or drawing.
“I normally hold the flashlight for her but now, there is no need to go through all that hassle because we have power supply,” she said.
Solar-power energy systems
These villagers are among the 140 households who got the solar panels as part of PETRONAS’ social impact programme which started installation earlier this year. The PETRONAS Uplifting Lives – Rays of Hope programme is expected to conclude by September, when all the 140 targeted houses get their solar panels and items such as light bulbs and fans installed.
PFLNG has collaborated with the Ministry of Rural Development Sabah to establish clean energy access for three villages on Banggi Island.
This collaboration resulted in the installation of solar-power energy systems which benefit over 700 residents.
The objective is to empower underprivileged communities by facilitating access to sustainable energy solutions for them, with the aim of enhancing their quality of life and promoting inclusive development. In February this year, PETRONAS successfully marked the start of this clean energy initiative by installing solar-powered systems at prayer halls (surau) in the three villages – Kampung Rahmat, Kampung Semayan and Kampung Dogoton.
The initiative’s subsequent phase is currently underway, involving the installation of solar-powered systems at 140 homes in these three villages.
With a targeted completion date set for September 2023, this effort is expected to improve living conditions and enhance economic opportunities for the residents.
According to PFLNG chief executive officer Azrul Roshazli, PETRONAS as a progressive energy and solutions provider not only has the responsibility to provide lower-carbon energy for businesses but also to help improve the livelihoods of the communities where they operate.
“Through the installation of these solar-powered systems, we’re not just providing clean energy access, but also enabling these communities to enhance their livelihoods through the cost-savings achieved.
“As PETRONAS advances towards Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050, we remain committed to ensuring holistic growth – for both our customers and the communities – to help ensure everyone progresses towards a sustainable future,” he said.