Pulau Banggi villagers grateful for quality of life upgrades

KOTA KINABALU: Safer conditions, a more conducive environment in which to study and being able to work after dark are among the benefits to some 700 villagers from Kampung Dogoton, Kampung Semayan and Kampung Rahmat in Pulau Banggi, Kudat since solar energy came to their homes last year.

The improvement in quality of life for these communities was highlighted during a recent event on the island as part of PETRONAS' 50th-anniversary activities honouring significant locations and events in the oil and gas company’s legacy.

Last year, the company's Floating LNG team installed solar energy systems in 140 homes and three surau at the villages under its Uplifting Lives – Rays of Hope programme.

“Since last year, a lot has changed. We used to rely on oil lamps, while those who could afford them would buy electric generators.

“Thanks to the solar power provided by PETRONAS, now everyone in the village can enjoy a steady supply of power, day and night,” Kg Dogoton village head Dahim Saludin was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the team on Tuesday (June 4).

Mimih Jabarul, from the same village, said solar power has made life much easier, and that “We also feel safer walking outside at night as the road is brighter.”

Kg Rahmat village head Amilyuddin Salibin said there was an increase in enthusiasm among students there to study and improve their academic performance.

“In the past, we used to live in the dark as generators could only be used for about three hours.

“Now I can work at night, which helps me in my role as the village head,” he said.

PETRONAS Sabah and Labuan regional office general manager Siti Ayu Abdul Wahab said the company was grateful for the opportunity to contribute towards uplifting the lives of the local community as part of its social impact programme.

During the event, a commemorative torch was also lit as part of the nationwide "Journey of the Twin Torches" tour.

This torch, one of two, will travel across Malaysia to locations and events that hold special significance in the legacy of PETRONAS.

The two torches' journey will converge in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 17.

Among other programmes lined up to mark the 50th anniversary include PETRONAS 50 Dreams, in which it seeks to fulfil 50 dreams nationwide during festive seasons, the statement added.