KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it is taking proactive action to address internet access problems nationwide to ensure that the people can enjoy quality web services.
MCMC said it took action on a report about a group of school students in Kg Sri Kledang, Hulu Selangor who had to study under jackfruit trees and on hills in an oil palm plantation to gain internet access to follow home-based teaching and learning.
Following that, MCMC said it devised a short-term solution whereby a new tower will be built near Kg Sri Kledang. It is expected to be operational by the end of March.
“Besides that, the building of a communication tower under the National Digital Network (Jendela) plan has been proposed in the Changkat Ramu Orang Asli village about 2.1km from Kg Sri Kledang, and construction is expected to start in early 2022,” the commission said in a statement today.
Media reports on school students in the Sg Air Tawar constituency having the same problem also received the attention of MCMC, which sent a team to the complaint location to get more information and check the quality of the telecommunication network coverage there.
“MCMC has contacted telecommunication companies to implement communication tower antennae optimisation in village areas, which is expected to be completed by the end of February, and new towers will be built in affected areas with construction expected to start at the end of the year,” said the commission.
In another case, MCMC received a complaint and made a location survey on weak cellular coverage in Kg Orang Asli Tasik Mentega, Pahang, and instructed Celcom to carry out upgrading work on the Kg Paya Mentiga tower, which is expected to be completed by the end of March.
MCMC added that a survey was conducted in Kg Kuala Betis in Gua Musang, Kelantan, on poor internet access in the area, and it will carry out work to improve the quality of internet access as well as build a new tower at an Orang Asli village there, which is located about 3km away, under Jendela.
Regarding a complaint made in Kg Payong, Setiu, MCMC said it conducted another survey to check the quality of telecommunication network coverage there and will upgrade a communication tower in the village, with work expected to start in the second quarter of this year.
Apart from that, MCMC said it received complaints from and surveyed locations in Kg Bukit Chempedak, Kg Jerong Seberang, Kg Jerong Surau, and Kg Jerong Tuan in Pengkalan Berangan Marang, and that follow-up action will be taken.
“MCMC will upgrade the communication tower in Kg Jerong Seberang, with work expected to start in the second quarter of 2021, and also build a new communication tower in Kg Bukit Chempedak starting early 2022,” it said.
MCMC further stated that it will continue monitoring activities as well as pursue follow-up measures so that problems of poor internet access nationwide can be fully addressed. – Bernama, February 18, 2021
