Malaysia expands solar street light program to rural areas

Malaysia is expanding its solar street light installation program to rural areas nationwide to improve lighting coverage in locations with limited access to electrical infrastructure. The Village Street Light (LJK) initiative began last year in Johor, Pahang, Perak, and Sarawak, with 500 units installed in each state based on annual allocations.

Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development, Datuk Rubiah Wang, stated that the ministry has requested an expansion of these installations for 2027 under the 2027 Budget, a proposal currently being considered by the Ministry of Finance. Implementation will be phased based on technical suitability, budget availability, and safety priorities.

In Johor, the initiative is progressing with the phased installation of 3,833 solar street light units as part of the 2026 Phase 1 implementation. This phase focuses on six districts: Segamat, Batu Pahat, Kluang, Pontian, Tangkak, and Muar, aiming to enhance safety and comfort for villagers by illuminating main routes and high-risk junctions.