MIRI – The Sarawak Orang Ulu Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants a commitment from both the state and federal government that every state parliamentary constituency will be provided with Starlink satellite hook-up very soon.
Hard-pressed to see improvements in the welfare and infrastructure of rural Sarawak, chamber president Datuk Mutang Tagal today said the governments at both the federal and state levels must commit to this Starlink project as it will definitely narrow the huge digital divide in Sarawak.
“The introduction of the Starlink satellite communication facility will surely play a big role in bridging the huge digital divide existing between urban and rural Sarawak now.
“The government of the day must commit to this project to enable Starlink facilities to be made available in all rural clinics, schools and longhouses,” he said.
“Financing must come from the government at the state and national levels as it will involve huge allocation.”
Tagal also stressed that rural Sarawak folks are facing the constant problem of electricity supply shortages and power disruption.
“For the Starlink satellite linkage to work efficiently and for the long term, we must make sure the electricity supply is very stable first, then we can install the Starlink facility.
“So in terms of the actual cost of installing Starlink facilities in rural areas, the cost will be huge as it will involve the provision of stable power supplies and installation of the Starlink equipment.”
On July 27, Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii from Sarawak DAP said that the federal government will purchase the latest Starlink satellite hook-up gadgets for rural clinics and rural schools in Sarawak.
The federal Communications and Digital Ministry has promised to give priority attention to Sarawak, he said in Kuching.
Dr Yii said he had spoken to minister Fahmi Fadzi on the matter.
“I spoke to the minister and he said that rural clinics and rural schools in Sarawak will be included as target areas for Starlink satellite linkages.
“We are already in the process of identifying the clinics and schools in Sarawak in need of immediate connectivity linkage now.
“They are in remote parts,” he said in a press statement.
Dr Yii said the immediate connection will be for those locations without broadband coverage and without high-speed fibre networks.
The key advantages of the latest Starlink linkage are speed and portability as the equipment is light and easier to install, he added. – The Vibes, July 30, 2023
