Viral Jerantut mechanic sees home illuminated for first time

JERANTUT: For the past three years, a single-storey house with a partitioned room in Kampung Kuala Sat, Ulu Tembeling, here had known only darkness, illuminated faintly by battery-powered lamps.

Yesterday, however, marked a long-awaited moment for mechanic Muhammad Ramadhan Abdul Hamid, who went viral after holding a placard appealing to the Sultan of Pahang for help, as fluorescent bulbs flickered to life above his family’s heads for the first time.

Standing beneath the pale white light, the family was overwhelmed with emotion as their cement-brick home transformed into a place filled with joy, just ahead of Hari Raya Aidiladha tomorrow.

Ramadhan’s wife, Nur Afiqah Malek, 32, beamed with happiness while their five-year-old son watched in awe each time his father switched on the lights.

Ramadhan, 30, said his family had relied on oil lamps, generators and solar panels connected to lorry batteries for the past 13 years, including during the time he lived with his parents nearby before moving into his current house on Jan 1, 2024.

“I am still adjusting to seeing my house brightly lit. Yesterday was the first time the whole house was fully illuminated, creating a completely different living environment.

“I installed eight fluorescent lights inside and outside the house. We even have a ceiling fan now,” he told the New Straits Times.

He said the transformation brought strong emotions, especially when he switched on the lights for the first time in front of his excited wife and son.

“My wife runs a food stall outside the house, so now she plans to expand the menu and possibly operate until late at night.

“Yesterday, my son lay on the floor, fascinated by the lights. Now he can study at night without relying on dim lighting,” he said.

He said the atmosphere at home has become mre uplifting after years of darkness, making this year’s Aidiladha celebrations even more meaningful.

“I will slowly save money to buy a refrigerator to store vegetables and meat. We also plan to continue refurbishing the house,” he said, adding that wiring works were completed with the help of his cousin after the electricity meter was installed on May 23.

He also expressed gratitude to the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, for stopping after spotting him holding the placard on May 17.

“Thank you to everyone, especially the Sultan of Pahang, the Pahang government, Tenaga Nasional Bhd, assemblyman Haris Salleh Hamzah, and all those who gave moral support and prayers over the past few days,” he said.

Ramadhan drew widespread attention after holding up a placard appealing to Al-Sultan Abdullah for assistance regarding his family’s living conditions on May 17. He had only applied for a power supply connection last year.

© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd

المصدر: New Straits Times