KUANTAN – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) confirmed that 199 disruptions in telecommunication services were reported in Pahang due to floods since Sunday, with services restored for 78 cases.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the worst affected area was Jerantut with 41 cases of disruptions, and restoration work was being actively undertaken by the telecommunication service providers concerned.
The telecommunication companies involved are DiGi, Maxis, Celcom, UMobile, and Webe.
“The majority of the problems were caused by power supply disruption because Tenaga Nasional Berhad has its own standard operating procedures for dealing with floods for the sake of public safety.
“I was told that repair works are being actively undertaken by telecommunication companies and MCMC is monitoring these efforts, not only in Pahang, but also in other locations affected by floods,” he added.
The Indera Mahkota MP told reporters this after presenting aid vouchers of RM150 each from the NSTP-Media Prima Disaster Fund to 70 families at the Balai Raya Kg Tiram flood relief centre. A total of 178 people from 70 families are housed at the centre.
Saifuddin said it could take time to restore services as roads leading to telecommunication towers may be flooded and the authorities may advise technical personnel to delay their trips to the affected areas for safety reasons.
“Apart from this, some tower areas were also flooded and persistent rain might affect the work of the technical team assigned to transmitting towers in remote areas.
“Nevertheless, the technical personnel are doing their best to resolve the problems quickly, and they can be considered as among the frontliners tackling the flood situation,” he said. – Bernama, January 7, 2021