From renewable-powered servers to affordable web solutions, Faruqi Jeniri shows how digital tools can boost small businesses and shrink their carbon footprint.
Building a greener digital world
We like to think of the internet as clean. Weightless. Borderless.
But every photo uploaded, every online booking, every late-night search for the “best breakfast spots in Kuching” runs on servers — vast, humming machines that consume staggering amounts of electricity.
Globally, data centres consume about 2 per cent of the world’s electricity, producing carbon emissions almost equal to the entire airline industry. It is a staggering footprint for something so few people ever see.
“It is an invisible kind of pollution — one most people never pause to consider, because in a digital world, we rarely realise how much harm it silently creates,” said Faruqi Jeniri, a Kuching-born web designer with nearly 20 years of experience, his voice calm but tinged with concern.
This realisation changed the direction of his work. Instead of simply designing websites, he wanted to create a cleaner, more sustainable digital ecosystem — one that not only served businesses but also respected the planet.
Green approach in the digital world
Faruqi’s vision aligns closely with the push by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who has consistently emphasised innovation in business and environmental sustainability.
It also resonates with broader national priorities, including the 13th Malaysia Plan, Ekonomi MADANI (Malaysia 2030), and the Carbon-Free 2050 initiative.
“Innovation isn’t just gadgets or artificial intelligence (AI). It’s about improving how we work, think, and build,” stressed the 37-year-old solo entrepreneur.
To bring this vision to life, Faruqi aims to be among the first in Kuching to run entirely on renewable-energy-powered servers.
The systems will operate on solar and wind energy, and for every 100 kW consumed, he will purchase 300 kW of green energy back into the grid — effectively offsetting more carbon than their servers emit.
Partnering with a renowned German server provider, Faruqi is now moving all his websites to servers powered entirely by renewable energy — taking a bold step toward a more sustainable digital future.
In addition, each new client subscription contributes to tree planting through One Tree Planted, with trees grown worldwide under the monitoring of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
“My clients have been incredibly supportive of this green shift. They appreciate knowing that their business is contributing to something sustainable,” Faruqi said.
Helping Sarawak brands stand taller online
This commitment to sustainability flows directly into the work Faruqi does for his clients.
Based in Saradise, BDC, Faruqi offers a full suite of digital solutions — from e-commerce and booking systems to appointment platforms, listing websites similar to mudah.my, and mobile apps connected directly to clients’ sites.
For him, a website is not a luxury — it is a business’ digital identity.
Today, he said, 98 per cent of Malaysians use the internet, with 86 per cent browsing websites through their smartphones — spending an average of five hours online each day.
“In Sarawak, almost three million people live across the state, with internet coverage reaching nearly 98 per cent in densely populated areas — giving the state a strong foundation for a digital economy.
“This is why it’s crucial for every company to have its own website, so customers can find them easily — because a website serves as a 24-hour digital brochure, always selling, informing, and helping customers, even at 3 in the morning.
“When someone searches for a service or a restaurant, Google decides who appears first. Companies with well-optimised websites have a real advantage,” Faruqi explained.
Yet, despite this potential, many Sarawak businesses remain hesitant.
“The mindset here is a little more traditional compared to Kuala Lumpur. That’s not a bad thing — it just means there’s room for awareness and growth,” he said.
He added that while the technology and tools are available, confidence and understanding are just as important as infrastructure.
“People need to embrace it and recognise its value. That’s where awareness and education come in,” he stressed.
Affordable digital growth for small businesses
Faruqi is acutely aware that high prices are one of the biggest barriers stopping small businesses from going digital.
In the wider market, a standard five-page website can easily cost several thousand ringgit — a figure that often pushes micro-entrepreneurs away from establishing an online presence.
So instead of following the industry trend, he built his packages around value and accessibility. His approach focuses on giving clients more for less — not by cutting corners, but by streamlining processes, using the right tools, and tailoring each website to what the business truly needs.
What customers pay is often a fraction of typical market rates, yet the features included are anything but basic.
Each site comes with practical enhancements such as AI chatbots, search engine optimisation, speed improvements, tighter security, and even options for custom web applications.
For Faruqi, the principle is simple: quality websites shouldn’t only belong to big companies.
By keeping his services reasonable and transparent, he ensures small businesses can finally build a proper online presence, be easily found, and stop being held back by the traditionally high costs of going digital.
Design begins with listening
While many web designers jump straight to visuals, Faruqi begins with understanding.
“I start with a detailed questionnaire session. I talk about the client’s brand, the tone, the colours, their competitors, their inspirations — everything,” he explained.
From there, the design becomes more than layout and text. It becomes a reflection of a business’ identity — modern, elegant, warm, or professional.
Faruqi also regards technology not as a replacement but as an enabler. AI, for instance, is a tool that expands human capability — helping him be more efficient and creative without removing the need for people.
“Those who learn to use AI wisely will go further. It helps us be more efficient and creative — it doesn’t remove the need for people,” he said.
That same mindset carries through to how he markets the businesses he works with.
Rather than relying solely on online campaigns, he uses a hybrid approach — combining face-to-face engagement with repeated online exposure — to help brands build trust and stay memorable.
At the heart of Faruqi’s work is a delicate balancing act: creativity, technology, and environmental responsibility.
Yes, he designs websites. But more than that, he transforms how businesses are seen, modernises their approach, and helps them lower their digital footprint — proving that even in the digital world, thoughtful, human-centred design still matters.
And his ambition doesn’t stop at individual businesses. In a world where the internet quietly contributes to pollution, this Kuching-born web designer envisions a broader purpose: a digital future that is smarter, greener, and kinder to the planet.
“Technology is not an enemy. If we use it with intention, it can empower people and protect the planet at the same time,” he said, reflecting the philosophy that guides both his work and his company.
Every site he builds is a small step toward that vision — proving that digital growth and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand.
Meanwhile, for more information on Faruqi’s web design services, visit www.faruqi.com.my — the kind of support that helps small businesses stand taller online, sustainably and affordably.
