MELAKA – The Sarawak election, which is expected to be held soon, needs the cooperation of telecommunication companies (telcos) to make online campaigning a success.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said this is to give all parties the opportunity to conduct their online campaigns, as practised in the current Melaka election.
“For the purpose of the polls, which we expect to be held any time soon in December, this is an important step.
“So again, we need the cooperation of telcos to go to areas that have less commercial appeal as they are less populated. All areas must be given a chance so that parties can carry out their online campaign programmes,” he said today.
He said unlike Melaka where internet usage is based on three factors – tourism, schools, and the state election – Sarawak is hampered by the problem of coverage, especially in rural areas that do not have internet service networks.
“So, we have agreed to increase satellite broadband usage. But for the elections, we want to see in more detail which are the areas and what are the problems…and I will go there next week.
“We will ensure that all main centres, especially the counting centres, have internet facilities. This is so that we can have coverage from all polling areas, but not for the entire village (yet).
“Because over there, under the National Digital Network (Jendela), we have just issued letters for work on phase one of the Jendela part 1 and part 2 that require more than 600 towers to be installed throughout Sarawak – and that will take some time,” he said.
A special Election Commission meeting on the 12th Sarawak election will be held on November 24 in Kuching.
On November 3, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah consented to the lifting of the emergency proclamation on Sarawak, which came into effect on August 2.
The revocation of the emergency proclamation has indirectly paved the way for the Sarawak election to be held, with the term of the current state government having expired on June 6.
Chief Minister Datuk Abang Johari Openg on November 5 announced that the Sarawak assembly had been dissolved effective November 3, with the consent of the Agong, thus paving the way for the state election. – Bernama, November 14, 2021
