KOTA KINABALU – Sabah must erect more new telecommunications towers if it aspires to provide total and seamless internet connection for its people.
Kapayan assemblyman Jannie Lasimbang said the state’s plan to put up 417 new telco towers by 2022 is not enough to meet the increasing number of internet users.
“I conducted online training for indigenous women leaders in Sabah last week and I was appalled by the poor internet connection all over Sabah.
“Compared to our neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Indonesia, Malaysia is so far behind.”
Lasimbang said internet service centres should also be expanded in areas with limited internet access.
She said the enhanced connectivity will make a big difference for people working from home, students taking online classes, and business owners intensifying their operations.
“It is unacceptable that even villages that are near urban areas such as Kg Kipouvo and Kg Kibunut in the Penampang district have no internet connection.
"I received complaints that even though there are towers in some of the areas, the signals are still extremely weak.”
She urged the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to go down to the ground to check on these complaints.
The DAP rep said in the era of globalisation, information and communications technology plays an important role as a channel that conveys the latest information to the world.
Without the internet, information recovery would be difficult and a very time-consuming task, said Lasimbang.
“With better internet connection and coverage, it will enable faster economic recovery and allow students to continue their studies during this pandemic.”
She added that businesses can run through certain applications and do online advertisements to improve their sales.
Schools can continue with their core activities online, and improve and create a new education system.
People can order food, and medicine can be delivered to lower the risk of spreading the coronavirus.
“During this crisis, the government should commit to provide all necessary support to keep citizens connected.”
She said the government must also dedicate available funds and resources, and take swift action so that critical internet infrastructure can be built quickly in urban, suburban and rural areas.
On November 12, Sabah Yang di-Pertua Negeri Datuk Juhar Mahiruddin announced that the state will construct 417 new telco towers by 2022, upgrade 1,972 existing transmitters to 4G, as well as expand fibre-optic coverage involving 251,166 premises. – The Vibes, December 14, 2020
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