SIPITANG – Telecommunications companies (telcos) have been urged to immediately restore internet coverage and resolve disruptions to telephone lines faced by consumers in several villages in the district, including Kg Long Pasia, which is a tourist attraction.
Sindumin community development leader Sani Miasin said he received complaints from several villagers regarding the frequent occurrence of line disruption.
“Among the villages that have been badly affected are Kg Long Pasia, Kg Long Mio, Kg Ulu Bole, Kg Meligan and Kg Iburuh with more than 1,000 residents.
“I understand the disruptions are caused by damage to the power generator of the telecommunications towers in Kg Long Pasia and Kg Ulu Bole,” he said when contacted by reporters here today.
Sipitang is a district located in the interior of Sabah, about 144km south of Kota Kinabalu, and is known for its highlands, among them Kg Long Pasia.
Sani said phone and internet coverage in the area depends on the telecommunications tower, but it needs a generator to ensure it operates 24 hours a day.
“The damage to the power generator caused the communication line to be cut off. Based on the villagers’ complaints, the generator at the Kg Long Pasia tower has been damaged since April 8, but until now, it has not been repaired.
He said due to the communication line being cut off, the residents of Kg Long Pasia had to rely on Menara Kg Long Mio for emergencies.
“The matter worsened on April 25 when the facility at Kg Long Mio also broke down with residents in Kg Long Pasia, Kg Long Mio and the surrounding areas cut off. The problem of phone line and internet coverage have also affected students,” he said.
The distance between Kg Long Pasia/Kg Long Mio and Sipitang town is about 128km, and can only be reached using a logging road which is now in very bad condition and difficult to pass through even for heavy vehicles. – Bernama, May 2, 2022
