Solar-powered solution benefiting one of Malaysia’s 18 Orang Asli sub-ethnic groups reinforces SDG 6, inclusive development and long-term community resilience JOHOR BAHRU, May 7 (Bernama) -- Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (“EXIM Bank or the Bank”), a subsidiary of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (“BPMB”) Group, recently strengthened its sustainability agenda through the deployment of a solar-powered water purification system for the Orang Seletar community at Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Salam, Sungai Ayer Tawar, Johor. The initiative is expected to benefit an underserved indigenous community of approximately 250 residents, aligned with the MADANI Economic Framework’s focus on inclusive and people-centric development.
EXIM Bank’s Southern Regional Office, located approximately 38 kilometres from the village, played an instrumental role in driving the effort, reflecting the Bank’s continued commitment to delivering lasting community impact beyond its financing mandate.
Zakiah Mat Esa, Chief Sustainability Officer of BPMB Group, said, “As sustainability and inclusive development continue to gain greater global importance, initiatives such as this demonstrate how practical and scalable solutions can deliver meaningful outcomes while strengthening community resilience at the grassroots level.”
“At BPMB Group, we believe sustainable development must be inclusive and extend beyond the financial sector. By improving access to clean water for the Orang Asli Seletar community, we are translating our sustainability commitment into measurable outcomes on the ground, while supporting the aspirations of Bank Negara Malaysia’s (“BNM”) Performance Measurement Framework (“PMF”) through stronger social and developmental outcomes. We remain committed to advancing high-impact sustainability initiatives that support the broader national priorities,” she elaborated.
Implemented in collaboration with FCubed (Asia) Sdn. Bhd. and technology partner TierraBlue, the initiative expands access to safe drinking water for one of Malaysia’s 18 Orang Asli sub-ethnic groups while advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (“SDG 6”), the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (“12MP”) and broader national priorities centred on environmental stewardship, social equity and underserved community upliftment.
Kampung Orang Asli Pasir Salam is home to the Orang Seletar community, part of Malaysia’s indigenous Proto-Malay population with longstanding ties to the coastal and mangrove ecosystem. Limited access to clean water and essential services has remained a persistent challenge for the settlement, underscoring the importance of reliable infrastructure in enhancing health, wellbeing and overall quality of life.
At the core of the initiative is the Cubed Carocell 3000 Solar Water Farm, a fully solar-powered purification system operating without electricity, chemicals or filter replacements. The installation of five panels is capable of producing a minimum of 50 litres of clean drinking water daily, capable of serving approximately 40 to 50 residents. Engineered for long-term reliability, the system is able to purify water from multiple sources including rivers, ponds, wells and seawater, with an operational lifespan exceeding 10 years and minimal maintenance requirements.
Beyond addressing immediate water accessibility needs, the deployment also serves as a scalable model for future collaboration with strategic partners and stakeholders, further reinforcing EXIM Bank’s commitment to sustainable nation-building, community resilience and inclusive socioeconomic progress.
https://bit.ly/4wgdcEmSOURCE: SME Bank
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