KOTA SAMARAHAN: Long Puah, a Penan village in Ulu Tinjar, will be getting electricity thanks to a grant from the government of Japan.

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak’s (Unimas) Institute of Social Informatics and Technological Innovations (Isiti) secured a grant assistance of RM168,200 from Japan’s Grassroots Grant Assistance for Human Security Project to finance the Solar Energy Electrification project.

The project involves the installation of solar home lighting system for a longhouse and a church, benefiting 27 families at Long Puah. The environment-friendly power system will not only reduce the level of pollution, but educate the local community on sustainable energy supply.

Long Puah was selected due to its remoteness and distance from the power grid, said Unimas deputy vice-chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni) Professor Mohd Fadzil Abdul Rahman, who was representing vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi.

“Today’s signing is the fifth grant awarded by the Japanese government to Isiti after three solar power projects in Long Lamai, Ba Kelalan and Larapan to power the community Internet centres,” he said.

He added that these projects are a true reflection of Unimas’ aim to give back to society.

Signing on behalf of Japan was Consular Office of Japan (Kota Kinabalu) head Hirofumi Morikawa.

In his speech, Morikawa said the grant would contribute to the improvement of living conditions of the people in rural areas.

“I highly appreciate the work of Unimas for the betterment of the living conditions and environment of the rural people of Sarawak,” he said.

“With today’s signing of the agreement, I hope this assistance from Japan would help the people and contribute to further strengthening friendly relations between Japan and Malaysia, particularly Sarawak.”

The ceremony was also attended by Consular Office of Japan (Kota Kinabalu) vice-consul Kenro Takahashi.

Witnesses to the signing from Unimas included deputy vice-chancellor (Research and Innovation) Prof Dr Kopli Bujang, Prof Dr Fasihuddin Badruddin Ahmad from the Unimas Research and Innovation Management Centre, Faculty of Computer Science and Information Technology deputy dean Dr Edwin Mitt and Isiti director Assoc Prof Dr Alvin Yeo Wee.