On Genting’s electricity supply, we initially used 12 large generators to supply electricity to Genting Highlands via the central electricity storage system. However, with the rapid development, this method of supplying electricity was inadequate to meet our demands.

In the late 1970s, we applied to the then National Electricity Board (NEB) for a bulk supply deal. But our application was rejected because of the high costs and supply difficulties in laying cables over a distance of 20km to the hilltop.

We had no alternative but to rely on our own resources. We obtained our electricity supply through constructing a supply unit at the foot of the hill linked to the grid system of the NEB. The system, including the building of cable towers and electricity transmission substations, cost us more than RM20 million.

The greatest challenge was building the cable towers all the way up the hill through the thick forest of Gunung Ulu Kali. There was no other access road except the one built by us. We could not, therefore, adopt the conventional method of using vans or four-wheel drive vehicles to transport the materials and workers to the designated sites.

To overcome this, we used helicopters to transport the raw materials and component parts of the cable towers to the selected sites. Our workers had to trudge through the thick jungle everyday to reach the worksites and this hampered our work. Despite these challenges, we completed our work on schedule and Genting Highlands finally got its full electricity supply in April 1984.

To ensure that electricity supply is not disrupted, we spent huge sums of money to upgrade our power generating equipment and maintaining our existing power generators, to meet any contingencies. Having solved the basic problem of water and electricity supplies, we moved on to many other projects to improve and upgrade the facilities on Genting Highlands. Till today, many new projects as well as expansion works are still being carried out.

BEST EQUIPPED

As Genting Highlands is located at a hilltop away from the major towns, we decided to set up our own fire-fighting team. In 1982, we built a five-storey fire station equipped with alarm systems and fire-and-rescue operations equipment.

In 1997, after having operated it on our own for nearly 30 years, we handed the fire-fighting services to the Government. We felt that it could be better managed by the proper authorities especially as Genting Highlands continued to expand with its many development projects.

In handing over the services, we also donated to the Government two German fire engines with turntable ladders which can extend to a height of 52 metres and a fire-fighting machine, costing RM6.5 million.

All these advanced and high-powered machines were designed for use on hilly roads. This makes the Genting Highlands fire station one of the best equipped in the country.