Darkness to Light: Water Access and Solar Power Transforms Perak’s Village

Kampung Bongor is cradled within the 130-million-year-old Belum-Temenggor rainforest in Perak. Older than the Amazon and the Congo, this ancient ecosystem is a living archive of majestic flora and fauna — from the rare rafflesia to all ten known species of Malaysian hornbills.

Accessible via a two-hour boat ride from Tasik Banding jetty, the remoteness of this village is its charm — and also a challenge. As much as it is synonymous with lush greenery and crisp air, the densely forested terrain makes infrastructure development notoriously challenging.

According to Malaysia’s Voluntary National Review 2021, nationally, piped water is available in 95.9% of households. However, in rural areas, that number drops to 84.7%, compared to 98.7% in cities.

The gap between national averages and day-to-day realities remains a pressing issue in areas such as Kampung Bongor. Up until recently, villagers had to walk for an hour to the nearest water source and fans sat idle without electricity to power them.

Under the SDG Roadmap for Malaysia Phase II (2021–2025), targets have been set to improve both rural water access and electricity coverage to 98%. Supported by the Ministry of Finance through the Hasanah Special Grant, a project known as Sustainable Electric & Clean Water to Orang Asli in Kampung Bongor, Sg Kejar, Royal Belum, Perak by Malaysian Relief Agency is contributing to this aspiration. It aligns with Sustainable Development Goals SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) and SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy)

It Takes a Village

This project is not about bringing something new to Kampung Bongor; it is about strengthening what’s already apparent here — a deep-rooted sense of community.

One resident, 46-year-old Kumar recalls collecting water in bamboo containers and how before the water catchment was built, he used to take multiple trips to meet a family’s basic needs. Today, 22 houses and two school blocks at SK Sungai Tiang have access to clean water at the turn of a tap.

Kumar was among the team of villagers and contractors who worked together to build a water catchment system designed under this initiative. Project Manager and MRA Operations Executive, Muslim Johari remembers the three-hour treks by foot through the forest carrying equipment and building materials to the site during the early days of the project. After that began the two-week long construction process to build a sturdy concrete structure before laying the piping that would finally bring water directly to every house.

“I come here every month to ensure everything is in working order and when something needs fixing, I work with the same 14 villagers who helped build it,” he adds.

The impacts go beyond convenience. MRA hopes to see results in the form of better sanitation and overall health. Hasanah’s Roz Haniza binti Zainal Abidin says that the new access has already reduced cases of waterborne illness and skin problems among children.

I come here every month to ensure everything is in working order and when something needs fixing, I work with the same 14 villagers who helped build it.”

Project Manager and MRA Operations Executive, Muslim Johari

Harnessing the Power of the Sun

To bring reliable power to Kampung Bongor, MRA partnered with UniKL to install a solar energy system designed to suit the village’s needs. A UniKL researcher specialising in solar power, Mohd Akram bin Dandu explains how the solar panels installed here operate on an AC-coupled solar system technology with Lithium-ion batteries. This, he tells us, is a more sustainable option that offers over 6,500 charging cycles, compared to just 400 with traditional lead-acid batteries. That means longer-lasting power — more than 15 years — with far less maintenance.

Both Muslim and Mohd Akram point to improved school attendance as one of the project’s most visible outcomes.

“With electricity and internet connection, teachers are also able to utilise digital media like laptops and televisions for classroom learning,” Muslim shares, while Roz Haniza adds that “Electricity makes the learning environment more conducive, as students can learn more comfortably.”

Powered by the People

Now that clean water and electricity systems have been established, the community plays a central role in keeping them running. From the outset, the project prioritised hands-on knowledge transfer — equipping residents to carry out weekly maintenance and handle minor repairs, such as reconnecting poly pipes. The aim: longevity of infrastructure while fostering a sense of ownership that ensures the system is not just functional, but truly theirs.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of this project, Hasanah Trustee and Managing Director, Siti Kamariah Ahmad Subki expressed that “the support received from the villagers in implementing this project, from the construction to maintenance stages, has been invaluable,” adding that she hopes that the spirit of kinship and togetherness will continue to thrive.

By integrating practical solutions with community engagement, Kampung Bongor stands as a testament to development done right — grounded in relevance and built on respect. Here, daily routines have quietly shifted: a child switching on a classroom fan, a family turning on the tap outside their home, and ultimately a village shaping its future — drawing from the forest it has long known but forging a path that is fully its own.