TWO Orang Asli villages in Pahang finally have access to clean water and sanitation – basic needs taken for granted by many – thanks to the efforts of private parties. 

Through the “Water for All” project, Atlas Copco Malaysia and Singapore is collaborating with Global Peace Foundation Malaysia (GPFM) to bring clean water and sanitation facilities to Kampung Sungai Gayung and Kampung Gantung Geriang in Pahang, benefitting about 200 people. 

Khalid Shaikh, General Manager for Atlas Copco Malaysia and Singapore, said when GPFM pitched the idea to provide basic facilities to Orang Asli villages, his organisation assessed the proposal and agreed to invest. 

He added that it was aware that the natural habitat of indigenous people was being destroyed, and with rivers and water sources polluted, these communities would face difficulty getting clean water and sanitation facilities. 

“GPFM’s survey found that two villages were in immediate need of water and sanitation. 

“The management team of Atlas Copco went there to see the conditions. We found that there was a dire need to invest in those villages,” Khalid told The Malaysian Insight. 

On April 14, Atlas Copco Malaysia and Singapore and GPFM inaugurated the projects in Kampung Sungai Gayung and Kampung Gantung Geriang. 

Khalid said the “Water for All” project in each village cost between RM70,000 and RM100,000. 

“The scope includes making a well, which we cannot put in the midst of the community. It has to be in a safe location so it does not get polluted with rainwater and other things,” Khalid, who has been with Atlas Copco for more than 20 years, said. 

“Then we set up the solar pump. We didn’t want to depend on electricity or a fuel-based pump because they have no access to electricity or fuel there. 

“We then created a filtration system to remove all particles. We built a storage tank at an elevated location. 

“The tank supplies the houses, where they have smaller filters to clean the water for consumption. The same water is used for sanitation facilities like showers and toilets. 

“At the end of the day, the smiles on the faces of the Orang Asli were amazing. There were people with tears in their eyes,” he added.

Empowering villagers 

According to Khalid, the project goes well beyond just delivering clean water. 

He said the villagers were trained to build and maintain the facilities themselves. 

“The project took about six months to complete but that is because we did not hire workers to complete the project. We could have completed the project in one month if we had done so. 

“But no. GPFM wanted to empower the villagers by providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to build and maintain these facilities, from the solar water pump to toilets. 

“Now, these villagers are equipped with skills and can sustain the facilities if there are any issues. Since they built it, they also have a connection to these facilities and will properly care for them,” he said. 

Based on a report by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released in 2018, 92% of the Malaysian population have access to safe and clean water. 

According to GPFM, 53% of Orang Asli communities didn’t even have that. 

As such, Khalid said more of such projects needed to be implemented. 

He said Atlas Copco Malaysia and Singapore and GPFM were now working on providing clean water and sanitation facilities to a “forest school”. 

“The concept here is, they are going to teach the kids how to farm, cultivate, handle produce, and so on. 

“Hence, this school needs water and sanitation facilities. So, we (Atlas Copco Malaysia and Singapore) committed to Global Peace to help them with delivering water and sanitation,” he added. 

Khalid said they were open to working with the government in ensuring marginalised communities received access to clean water and sanitation. 

He said such projects have a long-lasting impact on communities.  

Atlas Copco prides itself as a world-leading provider of sustainable productivity solutions. “Water for All” is Atlas Copco’s main community engagement initiative funded by employee donations and matched twice as much by the company. – May 19, 2023.