MICRON, GPFM CONTRIBUTE RM1 MLN TO PROVIDE CLEAN WATER FOR ORANG ASLI IN JOHOR, N. SEMBILAN

TANGKAK, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- United States-based memory chip giant, Micron Technology, has partnered with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (GPFM), to provide clean water access to Orang Asli communities in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

Micron Technology’s corporate vice president for assembly and test NAND operations (Singapore and Malaysia), Amarjit Sandhu, said that the initiative, the AquaConnect Project, under the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, aims to benefit over 1,700 Orang Asli residents.

The initiative will benefit four Orang Asli villages: Kampung Sungai Mahang in Negeri Sembilan, along with three villages in Johor – Kampung Sungai Mering in Tangkak, Kampung Kudung, and Kampung Kemidak in Segamat.

“Through this collaboration (with GPFM), we are committing RM1 million to establish a water supply system sourced from a nearby river," he explained.

“Over the next 12 months, 1,700 residents from 460 families across these villages will benefit from the upgraded water supply system,” he said during the launch of the AquaConnect Project at Micron’s Muar facilities in Tanjung Agas, today.

Also present at the event were Datuk Ashari Md Sarip, chairman of the Maharani State Constituency Special Coordinating Committee; Dr Teh Su Thye, chief executive officer of Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (GPFM); and Mamak Panjang Pandak, a representative of the Orang Asli communities.

Amarjit emphasised that the AquaConnect Project aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically targeting improvements in public health, community empowerment, and long-term development commitments.

Additionally, Teh highlighted that the project would provide vital access to clean water for the rural communities, as well as improve sanitation facilities in the four villages.

“At GPFM, we are dedicated to carrying out corporate social responsibility initiatives, including those for the Orang Asli community, to address the critical issue of clean water accessibility,” he said.

Mamak Panjang expressed his sincere gratitude, noting that the project’s expertise and funding would significantly impact the community.

“Until now, we’ve been relying on nearby streams for water, which is often uncertain in terms of cleanliness. With this programme, we are relieved to know that it will provide a long-term, reliable solution,” he shared.

-- BERNAMA