KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has built 61 telecommunications towers to provide internet connectivity in Orang Asli settlements as of October.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said there are eight towers in the implementation stage, with completion expected in stages beginning the first quarter of 2021.
“Of the eight, two are in Cameron Highlands, namely in Pos Lemoi and Pos Kg Telimau. Through the National Digital Network Plan (Phase 1), a total of 85 new towers with 4G service will be built in 136 Orang Asli settlements nationwide. They are expected to be implemented in the second quarter of 2021.
“Of the 85, 11 will be in Cameron Highlands, 38 in other places in Pahang, and 19 in Perak. We will continue to work with industry players, state governments and local authorities to speed up the provision of these towers,” he told the Dewan Rakyat today.
He was replying to a question from Dr Lee Boon Chye (PH-Gopeng) on the status of internet services for the Orang Asli, and plans to improve such services.
Saifuddin said the ministry is evaluating the extent of the usage and effectiveness of internet centres in these settlements.
Of the 873 such centres under MCMC, 128 of them serve 181 Orang Asli communities. – Bernama, December 1, 2020
