UOB’s Kampung Solar initiative lights up homes in remote Malaysian village
Volunteers travel to rural Perak to install 150 units of solar panels for more than 70 residents
[SINGAPORE] More than 70 residents in a small, remote village in Perak in peninsular Malaysia now have access to electricity and no longer have to depend on diesel, which is costly and can be dangerous.
This was made possible by UOB’s Kampung Solar initiative, in which the bank’s employee volunteers travel to villages with no electricity to install solar panels.
More than 37,000 homes in rural peninsular Malaysia are so remote that it is not feasible for them to be connected to the national electricity grid.
Around 30 volunteers from UOB’s South-east Asian offices – such as those in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam – gathered at UOB Plaza Kuala Lumpur in July to embark on a long journey to the village, comprising a bus and ferry ride.
Wan Ahmad Naufal Wan Mohd Nazmi, management associate at UOB Malaysia and one of the volunteers, recalled: “The journey itself was demanding. The bus ride to the jetty before reaching Lake Temenggor lasted approximately six hours, with winding roads and steep inclines.”
When the volunteers finally arrived at Orang Asli Kampung Kelian, they were greeted by the residents of a small village who had a completely different lifestyle.
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“I was completely in awe of how different the environment was from what I was used to. There was no phone reception, and we were surrounded by dense greenery, durian trees growing beside the villagers’ homes and wildlife roaming freely,” he added.
The volunteers soon met representatives from Sols Foundation, a beneficiary of UOB Malaysia that supports the rural Orang Asli – or indigenous – community.
They helped to install 150 units of solar panels for around 20 households. This was the second time Kampung Solar went to work. Last year, volunteers travelled to two other Orang Asli settlements in Perak.
Leonard Tan, head of group corporate social responsibility (CSR) at UOB, said the bank’s CSR initiatives are “thoughtfully tailored to meet the unique needs of the communities” in the markets where UOB operates.
“By extending our support beyond Singapore and helping underserved communities, we aim to build a more inclusive, resilient and future-ready Asean for our people,” he added.
Brightening lives
Speaking about Kampung Kelian, Wan Ahmad noted: “The homes were very basic, made from bamboo and wooden planks, with rooftops made from tree leaves. There was no running electricity. Cooking was done over open fires; and at night, the villagers relied on diesel generators, kerosene lamps or candles for light.”
This is costly and unsustainable, and also poses a safety hazard to the villagers – because the compound is in the jungle, they often encounter wild animals after dark.
“Each household relied heavily on diesel, using around five to 10 tanks per month depending on family size, which can be a financial burden,” he added.
The solar panels provide a consistent source of electricity, and this adds a layer of safety and security to the village.
Another volunteer, Nguyen Phi Phuong, vice-president of market and liquidity risk at UOB Vietnam, said: “The installation of solar panels brings light to the village, which makes their lives easier for activities and travelling around the village at night. It also makes them feel safer and helps them to better recognise any strangers and animals that might pose danger.”
Trained professionals from Sols Foundation helped the volunteers with the installation. The volunteers installed the light and battery packs in the villagers’ homes, and taught them how to operate the system.
Phuong said: “The trainers from Sols Foundation were very friendly and specialised in guiding everyone in the installation, as well as the usage and maintenance of the solar panel set.”
Village chief Ismail Alung, speaking on behalf of the villagers, said they were “hopeful and thankful” to UOB and Sols Foundation.
“We don’t need to buy diesel oil just for our lights any more. This gives us a sense of ease, as it means we get to save money for when we fall ill or if we want to buy food or anything else. We can do anything with the money saved – even put it in the bank for emergencies,” he added.
Sols Foundation representatives will check on the installations at the six-month and one-year marks.
In addition to the installations, the UOB volunteers also conducted a financial literacy workshop for the villagers – who now have more funds as they no longer have to pay for diesel. The workshop taught them how to manage their potential financial savings.
The volunteers said one challenge on this trip was communication. The villagers spoke in their own indigenous dialect and were “understandably reserved” when interacting with the visitors, Wan Ahmad noted.
“This language barrier required me to rephrase questions and statements several times to ensure mutual understanding. Building trust and rapport took time, but patience and respectful engagement helped bridge the gap.”
Both he and Phuong said the overall experience was valuable, and they would do it again.
Wan Ahmad added: “(Kampung Solar) is not just about illumination – it’s about improving safety, enabling connection and enhancing quality of life.”
UOB’s partnership with Sols Foundation started in 2022, with the bank providing the Sols Solar Academy scholarship to youth from rural communities who travel to Kuala Lumpur to learn about the solar industry.
Under the scholarship, they receive practical training and mentorship. Students who complete the programme and graduate with honours are guaranteed full-time employment at Sols Energy or another solar company. The partnership was expanded to include the volunteer outreach programme in 2023.
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