After 13 Years Without Electricity, M’sian Family Gets Help Thanks to Handwritten Sign & Royal Motorcade

Who knew one simple handwritten sign could totally change a family’s life?

That’s exactly what happened to a family in a rural area of Pahang. For 13 years, the family had lived without a connection to the national power grid. During that time, they relied on lorry batteries charged via solar panels to power their home.

However, it was only enough to charge their phones and not sufficient to power a refrigerator or even a fan.

According to Muhammad Ramadhan Abd Hamid, 30, a warung operator and motorcycle workshop owner, he had applied for electricity multiple times, but the applications had yet to be approved, prompting him to look for alternative solutions.

Waited since 6:30 AM for the royal motorcade

Upon learning that the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, was in the area for a three-day programme, which included officiating a mosque in a nearby Orang Asli village, Muhammad Ramadhan decided to take his chance.

Image Credit: Harian Metro

The night before, he prepared a handwritten sign that read: “Ampun Tuanku, Mohon Berhenti Sekejap” (“Your Majesty, please stop for a moment”).

The next morning, Muhammad Ramadhan closed his stall and began waiting for the royal motorcade to pass by. It was reported that he had been waiting by the roadside since 6:30 AM with his wife and five-year-old son.

At about 10 AM, the royal motorcade finally passed along the road in front of his house.

In a TikTok video that has since gone viral, the motorcade stopped upon noticing the family. Muhammad Ramadhan then met with the Sultan in a discussion that lasted nearly 20 minutes.

“We waited for over three hours and were able to meet His Majesty at around 10 AM. We are thankful that the vehicle carrying His Majesty stopped. I asked for His Majesty’s help. He listened and said he would try to assist,” he said in an interview with Harian Metro.

@muhammadramadhan9602

 

♬ Oh Tuhan Mudahkanlah Jalan Hidupku - Naylaluthfia

13 years of waiting resolved in just hours

About five hours after the encounter, Muhammad Ramadhan received a phone call informing him of something he and his family had been waiting years for, their application had finally been approved.

When asked why the process took so long, Muhammad Ramadhan explained that it was due to the distance between his house and the nearest electricity pole.

According to him, his home is located about one kilometre (km) away from the existing pole. Although the distance may seem short, it was considered far enough to require additional approvals and costs.

Image Credit: @muhammadramadhan9602 | TikTok

Despite the long wait, Muhammad Ramadhan said he was grateful that the issue had finally been resolved and thanked the Sultan of Pahang for his help. He also revealed that electrical poles have already been delivered to his home, and the connection is expected soon.

He also urged the public not to place blame on any parties, adding that he believes everyone involved had done their best.

“Application was only received in December 2025” — TNB

Following the viral video, TNB issued a statement on its official Facebook page. According to the utility provider, the application was only received through a contractor in late December 2025.

In January 2026, TNB submitted the application to the relevant authorities to proceed with pole installation works.

“Following the latest developments, TNB was granted permission to continue the works on 17 May 2026. The works began on 20 May 2026, and the target is to start the electricity supply connection on 24 May 2026.”

Featured Image Credit: @muhammadramadhan9602 | TikTok