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Free Malaysia Today
28 minutes ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
How TNB is transforming rural communities
Tenaga Nasional Berhad is in the process of providing electricity supply to 25 villages located in Perak, Pahang and Johor. (TNB pic) PETALING JAYA : For many Malaysians living in cities, electricity is simply a given. But for thousands in remote and underserved areas, reliable access to power remains a challenge. To bridge this gap, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB), in collaboration with the rural and regional development ministry, is driving the country's Rural Electrification Programme, aiming to bring sustainable, reliable electricity to every corner of Malaysia. Bringing power to remote villages TNB's initiative is currently focused on 25 villages across Perak, Pahang and Johor, with five villages already connected to the grid. A standout project is a micro-hydro system in Lenjang, Kuala Lipis, Pahang, which will soon provide electricity to 210 houses and 10 community centres in 10 indigenous villages. This is part of a broader strategy to use a mix of grid extensions, off-grid solar technology, micro-hydro solutions, as well as hybrid energy systems to overcome the challenges of difficult terrain and dispersed populations. TNB's Rural Electrification Programme focuses on long-term sustainability and engagement with rural communities. (TNB pic) TNB employs modern technologies such as satellite mapping and drones to efficiently plan infrastructure deployment. By combining renewable energy options with community-based initiatives that involve training local residents, the programme aims to ensure long-term system maintenance and sustainability. Improving lives through reliable electricity Access to electricity transforms daily life – it enables children to study after dark, healthcare facilities can operate advanced equipment longer and businesses gain the tools to thrive. A micro-hydro powered village, for example, can sustain clinics, schools and small enterprises, opening doors to opportunities once beyond reach. In many parts of rural Malaysia, electricity also means better communication and connection to the wider world. With power, villagers access the internet, online education and digital marketplaces, narrowing the gap between urban and rural communities. A focus on sustainability and inclusivity Equipping rural communities with reliable electricity supply will provide residents with better access to helpful amenities and services. (TNB pic) In addition to immediate benefits, the programme is aligned with national goals to promote social equity and environmental responsibility. By integrating cleaner energy sources like solar and micro-hydro power, TNB is reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to Malaysia's climate targets. To address the high costs and geographic challenges of rural electrification, the programme adopts cost-effective renewable solutions tailored to each community's needs. Building a future powered by community Beyond infrastructure installation, TNB focuses on empowering communities through training and local engagement. This helps develop the capacity for system upkeep and repair, creating ownership and ensuring the long-term success of electrification projects. TNB's Rural Electrification Programme is an important driver for inclusive growth and sustainable development in Malaysia. By extending reliable and clean electricity to remote areas, the programme is empowering rural communities and supporting the nation's vision for equitable progress. To learn more about TNB's initiatives in rural Malaysia, visit the official website.
Free Malaysia Today
2 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Dad, daughter die after 4WD plunges into ravine in Segamat
Bandar Baru Segamat fire and rescue station operations commander Zainal Abidin Che Deraman said an emergency call about the incident was received at 6.47pm yesterday. (JBPM pics) PETALING JAYA : A father and his nine-year-old daughter were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in with four other family members skidded and plunged into a ravine in Kampung Kwongsai, along Jalan Segamat-Labis in Johor yesterday. Bandar Baru Segamat fire and rescue station operations commander Zainal Abidin Che Deraman identified the deceased as Fitri Said, 39, and Nurin Insyirah. The four others were Fitri's wife Nurain Farhana Johari, 32, and their three children, Zikri, 11, Nur Hisna, four, and Nur Atiya, two. Zainal said the station received an emergency call about the incident at 6.47pm. 'A fire rescue tender with seven personnel was dispatched to the scene about 9km from the station,' Bernama reported him as saying today. Zainal said upon arrival, the team discovered a Toyota Hilux at the bottom of the ravine with two victims trapped beneath it. 'The team used special equipment, including a hydraulic ramp, to stabilise the vehicle and extricate the victims,' he said. The four other victims managed to free themselves and were sent to a hospital for treatment, while the bodies of the deceased were handed over to the police for further action.
Free Malaysia Today
15 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
PKR veep rubbishes claims 11 MPs retracting support for Anwar
PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang said Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned from their Cabinet posts to uphold the spirit of democracy. PETALING JAYA : PKR vice-president Chang Lih Kang has rubbished claims that 11 MPs from the party are retracting their support for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the party's president. Responding to a text message making the rounds on WhatsApp, Chang, a federal minister, said the claim was 'nonsense'. 'Rafizi Ramli and Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad resigned from their Cabinet posts to uphold the spirit of democracy. Other parties need not fish in troubled waters,' he said in a Facebook post. The viral message claimed that 11 MPs have withdrawn their support for Anwar as the prime minister, including Chang, who was a running mate of Rafizi in the recently concluded PKR central leadership elections. The others listed in the message include Rafizi and others aligned with him, such as Nik Nazmi, PKR vice-president Aminuddin Harun, Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir, Batu Pahat MP Onn Abu Bakar, Ledang MP Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, Subang MP Wong Chen and Gopeng MP Tan Kar Hing. The message claimed that the MPs would be holding a press conference on Friday on their decision to retract their support for Anwar. Nik Nazmi had also lost in the PKR central leadership polls, failing to defend his vice-presidency. Chang was retained as a PKR vice-president, while the other three posts were filled by Aminuddin, Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari and Sungai Buloh MP R Ramanan. Earlier today, Rafizi and Nik Nazmi resigned from their posts as economy minister and natural resources and environmental sustainability minister, respectively. Bernama quoted political analyst Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia as saying that it was possible that other ministers or deputy ministers aligned with Rafizi would also step down from their posts.
Free Malaysia Today
19 hours ago
- General
- Free Malaysia Today
Child found dead in river behind JB mall
Johor Utara police chief MS Balveer Singh said the cause of death of the child is still under investigation. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : A child was found dead in a river behind a shopping mall in Johor Bahru, Johor, on Sunday. Police said they were still identifying the victim. Johor Utara police chief MS Balveer Singh said the child, whose body was found floating in Sungai Skudai, is believed to be between five and seven years old. The victim was wearing an anklet on the left leg. The body was found by a senior citizen, who lodged a police report, Berita Harian reported. The cause of death is under investigation.
Malay Mail
20 hours ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Malaysia's digital investment pipeline hits RM59.1b, boosting AI and tech growth, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR, May 28 — Malaysia has a digital investment pipeline of RM59.1 billion as of April 2025, according to Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. He said that the projected information technology (IT) load for this pipeline exceeds 300 megawatts (MW). 'From 2021 to 2024, approved investments in data centres and cloud computing alone total RM113.8 billion, with 23 landmark projects proposing nearly 1,900 MW in IT load,' he said in his opening remarks at the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tour 2025, here today. Tengku Zafrul said the impact of Microsoft's investments, along with other strategic digital projects, has propelled Malaysia into the upper echelons of regional digital competitiveness. 'Malaysia's AI ecosystem is vibrant, we have over 140 local AI solution providers in the Malaysia Digital framework, delivering real-world applications in healthcare, agriculture, cities, and manufacturing. 'Our policy ecosystem also supports this momentum. The government has introduced the Digital Ecosystem Acceleration (Desac) incentive to attract high-quality, sustainable digital infrastructure,' he said. He noted that Microsoft's commitment is pivotal, as evidenced by initiatives such as Project Big Blue in Johor and Project Baby Blue in Cyberjaya, as well as the US$1 billion Bersama Malaysia Initiative and the recent US$2.2 billion GoSEA announcement (US$1=RM4.23). These are investments in Malaysia's future, people, and status as a regional AI and digital hub, said Tengku Zafrul. In 2024, Malaysia approved a record RM133.3 billion in new digital investments, bringing the total approved during the 2021-2024 period to RM278 billion across 23 major projects, anchored by advanced data centres and cloud infrastructure, creating nearly 88,000 new jobs and establishing Malaysia as a digital leader in Asean. 'Malaysia's digital economy is projected to contribute 25.5 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) this year, with national GDP growth forecast between 4.5 per cent and 5.5 per cent. 'Our ambitions are tightly linked to our role as Asean chair in 2025, where we are championing the theme: 'Advancing for a Resilient, Inclusive, and Sustainable Asean,'' he added. — Bernama
