TANGKAK: 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.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Micron Technology’s corporate vice president for assembly and test NAND operations (Singapore and Malaysia), Amarjit Sandhu, announced that the initiative, named the AquaConnect Project, is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme and aims to benefit over 1,700 Orang Asli residents.

The project is set to enhance the water supply for four Orang Asli villages: Kampung Sungai Mahang in Negeri Sembilan, as well as Kampung Sungai Mering in Tangkak, Kampung Kudung, and Kampung Kemidak in Segamat, Johor. Micron Technology has committed RM1 million to implement a water supply system sourced from a nearby river, which is expected to benefit 460 families across these villages over the next 12 months.

The launch of the AquaConnect Project took p
lace at Micron’s Muar facilities in Tanjung Agas, with key figures in attendance, including Datuk Ashari Md Sarip, chairman of the Maharani State Constituency Special Coordinating Committee; Dr. Teh Su Thye, CEO of GPFM; and Mamak Panjang Pandak, a representative of the Orang Asli communities.

Amarjit Sandhu highlighted that the AquaConnect Project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on public health improvements, community empowerment, and long-term development. Dr. Teh Su Thye further elaborated on the project’s significance, stating it would provide essential clean water access and improve sanitation facilities for the rural communities.

Mamak Panjang expressed gratitude for the initiative, acknowledging the project’s potential to significantly enhance the community’s quality of life. He noted that the community’s current reliance on nearby streams for water posed challenges in ensuring cleanliness, and this programme offers a promising long-term solution.