The programme not only enables families to have roofs over their heads and protect themselves from the heat and rain, but it fulfils their dream of having their own homes

by FAREZZA HANUM RASHID / Pics courtesy of TNB

TENAGA Nasional Bhd’s (TNB) ongoing Baiti Jannati Project (PBJ) has seen a total of 1,009 families receiving new homes or had their homes renovated with a total cost of over RM45.72 million from business returns since 2007. 

PBJ is one of TNB’s corporate social responsibility initiatives in addressing hardcore poverty within the community. 

Baharin says it is everyone’s hope that this assistance would be continued for many years to come with TNB’s continued success in pioneering the electrical business

According to the company, the programme not only enables families to have roofs over their heads and protect themselves from the heat and rain, but it fulfils their dream of having their own homes. 

Despite the persistent challenges of Covid-19, TNB said its commitment to give back to the communities had never faltered. 

“Thus, TNB’s PBJ this year is estimated to build or finance the purchase of 128 units of houses at a cost of around RM6.4 million for the disabled, single mothers, senior citizens and the other asnaf,” it said in a recent statement. 

Zaki Hisam, 43, a PBJ recipient at Nuri Apartments in Rawang, Selangor, said he had always managed to get by, but the Covid-19 crisis turned him into an asnaf in a blink of an eye. 

“I cannot afford to buy my own house, but I had never expected to receive one, let alone from TNB which I only knew to be a utility company,” he said in expressing his gratitude for the aid. 

“I hope this programme will never end so that more people in need will be helped. In fact, this programme should be emulated by other companies because there are many people out there that need assistance,” he added. 

Zaki, who is unable to work due to a road accident injury since 2019 had been renting a house in Sungai Buloh with wife Asnor Baizurina Sidek, 41, and their five children. 

Besides depending on their second child who works as a clerk, Zaki’s family relies on zakat distributions and food aids for the asnaf. Meanwhile, the couple’s eldest child has been battling health issues since birth. 

Another recipient, Abu Shah Embok said his dream of owning a home has finally become a reality with TNB’s PBJ. 

“Now that I have my own home, I feel that my life is more secure. 

“I am certain that many people’s dreams have come true, and many more will experience the same, with this programme by TNB,” said the 59-year-old farmer from Kampung Pulau, Masjid Tanah in Melaka. 

TNB’s PBJ — which is for Muslim recipients — utilises money from TNB’s business zakat returned by the State Islamic Religious Council while for non-Muslims, TNB finances homes under the Projek Mesra Rakyat (PMR). Since PMR’s introduction in 2012, a total of 220 families have enjoyed its benefits at a cost of more than RM7.46 million. 

I cannot afford to buy my own house, but I had never expected to receive one, let alone from TNB which I only knew to be a utility company, says Zaki (pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL/TMR)

TNB president and CEO Datuk Baharin Din said it is everyone’s hope that this assistance would be continued for many years to come with TNB’s continued success in pioneering the electrical business. 

“With TNB’s continued success, we would make sure the return is shared with the people, because TNB is an organisation that is close to the people.

“TNB has high hopes that the recipients of TNB’s PBJ houses and their families will stand these challenging times and be able to live a more comfortable life. TNB is always concerned about the local community, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has a lot of impact on the people,” he said in the same statement. 

Since its inception in 2007, TNB’s PBJ has assisted in repairing 107 houses (RM1.7 million) and built 902 houses (RM44.02 million) since 2013.