Kampung Labi Powers Balai Raya With Solar Energy

SIMUNJAN: The residents of Kampung Labi in Simunjan can now make full use of their balai raya in the day as well as at night with the installation of the iM Sarawak Solar Power System there.

The solar power system which was launched on Friday, 9 October, is the result of a collaboration between iM Sarawak and the Rotary Club of Kuching Central. 

It provides 80W of electricity that powers two wall fans, eight 18W fluorescent bulbs, a television and a radio. 

Depending on usage, the system has the capacity to provide the balai raya with four hours of electricity with all the lights turned on.

Before the installation of the solar power system, the village depended on diesel generators for electricity, and candles were used for lighting at night.]

Bohari Anak Changgai, Ketua Kampung of Kampung Labi said, “The installation of the Solar Power System at our balai raya has brought us closer as a community,”

“From now on, our community gatherings and festivals can be conducted in comfort for a longer period of time but at a lower cost as compared to when we depended solely on a generator,”

“Our children also use the balai raya as a common area to do homework and play. Now they can continue to do so even after the sun has gone down without having to worry about the danger of using candles or the amount we would be spending on diesel,” he ended.

“iM Sarawak is a social development initiative led by the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council to help improve the quality of life of various communities throughout the state of Sarawak,” said Ir Hj Irwan Zulkarnain Hj Muhammad Hasbie, a member of the 1Malaysia Sarawak Advisory Council.

“The implementation of the iM Sarawak Solar Power System is in line with this objective and we are proud to have been asked by The Rotary Club of Kuching Central to help Kampung Labi,”

“I would like to thank the residents of Kampung Labi for their enthusiastic participation in the gotong royong style installation of the solar power system,” he continued.

“They know first-hand how difficult it was to transport the solar panels on the river and the complications that can arise in the installation,”

“As a result of that, I sincerely hope that they have a sense of ownership over the solar power system, and will use it in the best way possible to enhance their lives,” Irwan ended.