Nestlé Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols (right), joins Nestlé Sayang Komuniti volunteers building a gabion structure, a permeable barrier designed to stabilise the riverbank and control water flow, as part of a dam to improve water supply for the Orang Asli community in Kampung Lumut, Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, under the Safe Water, Safe Communities programme.
KUALA LUMPUR: Nestlé Malaysia, in partnership with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, has expanded its Safe Water, Safe Communities programme with the construction of a new dam and upgraded gravity-fed water system for the Orang Asli settlement in Kampung Lumut, Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan.
“The construction of this new dam, as well as the installation of a new piping system, and the addition of water tanks and pipelines within the village, will allow for the regulation of the water supply and improved flow.
“Alongside providing clean water for drinking, cooking, farming and overall hygiene, through this initiative, the villagers will also be trained to use and maintain the infrastructure, cultivating a sense of ownership and long-term community self-sufficiency,” Nestle said in a statement.
Launched in 2018 in partnership with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia, the project has reached more than 1,000 families with clean water facilities, including filtration systems, solar-powered pumps, washrooms and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) training.
Nestlé Malaysia chief executive officer Juan Aranols said the group was pleased to work again with Global Peace Foundation to drive lasting impact on Orang Asli communities in Malaysia.
He said these efforts reflect Nestlé’s broader water stewardship agenda, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with a focus on protecting water resources, enhancing community resilience and creating long-term value for people and the planet.
“In Malaysia, we are inspired by the collaboration with Global Peace Foundation which has enabled us to reach many Orang Asli communities around the nation to provide them safe water access, build basic sanitary infrastructures and raise awareness on hygiene practices. We will continue to expand this initiative to create lasting positive change amongst these communities in need,” he said.
“Today, by building this dam, and beyond the immediate and lasting improvement in living conditions for the Orang Asli community in Kampung Lumut, we are also creating a lasting symbol of our partnership with Global Peace Foundation and our common objective to empower these communities and improve their living conditions. I would like to mention the enthusiastic involvement of numerous Nestlé colleagues, all volunteering their time to join us today, confirming the relevance of our Nestlé Sayang Komuniti employee volunteering platform.”
Meanwhile, Global Peace Foundation Malaysia chief executive officer Dr. Teh Su Thye said: “This collaboration demonstrates the power of partnerships. The dam at Kampung Lumut is a lifeline that supports health, livelihoods and dignity for the Orang Asli community. By combining Nestlé’s commitment, our expertise, and the villagers’ active participation, we have created a solution that the community can sustain and build upon for years to come.”
