KUCHING: Better communications between the state and federal governments will be a big help in the continuing effort to improve internet coverage in Sarawak.
Deputy Minister of Utility and Telecommunication (Telecommunication) Datuk Liwan Lagang hopes his ministry will, in this instance, be notified in advance about Federal Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Teo Nie Ching’s next visit to Sarawak.
“In response to Teo’s intention to work closely with the state government as reported in the press recently, we hope she would meet us to discuss improving the internet coverage in Sarawak.
“Since we only hear her visit to Sarawak in the news, it would be more meaningful if our ministry is notified of such visit in the future,” he said in a statement on yesterday (March 21).
In early 2022, he said the function of telecommunication was vested under the purview of the then Ministry of Utilities thus making it known today as the Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications.
He also said even though the responsibility to develop telecommunication infrastructure lies with the federal government, the state government still intervened and complemented the effort and spent RM1.89 billion to fast track the telecommunication development especially in the rural areas.
“This showed our commitment and seriousness to provide full coverage to our people and reduce the digital divide in the rural areas and communities of Sarawak,” he said.
He also noted that the media reported Teo as saying the current 4G network coverage in Malaysia extends over 97 per cent of populated areas.
However, he pointed out that the current 4G network coverage in Sarawak is only 54 per cent of the populated areas.
“There are many rural areas yet to be provided with telecommunication services. Sarawak needs about 7,000 telecommunication towers and structures to achieve full coverage and we have about 3,500 towers and structures in operation at the moment.
“In this regard, I call for commitment and close cooperation from the federal government especially in providing more funds for the implementation of telecommunication infrastructure in Sarawak.
“We hope upon the completion of SMA Rural Telecommunication (SMART) by the state government and Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) by the federal government, the telecommunication coverage in the populated areas will be significantly improved,” he added.
