Melaka to install 5 new telco towers for better tourist connectivity
The initiative, announced by State Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Communication Committee chairman Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan, is part of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) Universal Service Provision (USP) programme.
The towers will be built in Kampung Kuala Linggi, Kampung Paya Lebar, Jonker Street, Taman Botanikal Ayer Keroh, and Pulau Besar. Melaka ICT Holdings Sdn Bhd has been appointed to handle the construction.
Fairul Nizam revealed the plan during the Melaka State Legislative Assembly session at Seri Negeri, responding to a query from Kerk Chee Yee (PH–Ayer Keroh) regarding internet quality improvements in tourist-heavy zones.
Since 2022, MCMC has audited 717 locations statewide, including 25 tourist spots, in preparation for Visit Melaka Year 2024 (TMM2024).
The audits led to 48 Compliance Notices and 34 Commission Directives issued to service providers failing to meet required standards.
'Five directives were not complied with, resulting in civil penalties against the telcos involved,' Fairul Nizam said.
Service providers were also mandated to submit short- and long-term solutions to address connectivity issues.
This effort has reduced public complaints received by MCMC, dropping from 1,422 in 2022 to 1,243 in 2023, and further to 355 as of 2024. - Bernama
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
10 hours ago
- New Straits Times
'Taxing cloud providers not good idea'
KUALA LUMPUR: Any plan to impose a levy on cloud service providers (CSPs) will be counterproductive, says a top industry executive. Small and Medium Enterprises Association (Samenta) national president Datuk William Ng said SMEs face the brunt of increased costs that slow their cloud adoption, while providers may curb investment - a dynamic that threatens Malaysia's ambition to be a digital investment hub. In most other markets, NG said, universal service levies remain focused on telecom operators rather than application-layer services, as expanding them into cloud services will likely have adverse impact on growth, competition and gross domestic product. "We're already seeing escalating costs from cloud service providers. Some global providers have increased their fees by 15 per cent to as much as 250 per cent over the past three years. "Since migration between platforms is rarely straightforward, SMEs affected by these price hikes often have little choice but to absorb the extra cost," he told Business Times today. Ng was commenting on Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan's statements suggesting that a six per cent levy on CSPs under the universal service provision (USP) fund is in the offing. In the latest episode of the Keluar Sekejap podcast, Khairy and Shahril said the prospect may increase operational costs for SMEs and weaken Malaysia's attractiveness as a key destination for digital investment. Ng said a more balanced approach would be to register and regulate the CSPs and to apply the same anti-profiteering rules that our SMEs are already subject to. "However, that would require a fundamental rethink of the USP framework itself. Penalising providers while also taxing their growth is unrealistic," he added. Meanwhile, Khairy and Shahril raised concerns that the levy, if implemented, would have knock-on effects across the digital economy ecosystem. Khairy warned that the levy could drive up costs for consumers and businesses, potentially hindering digital adoption. "Six per cent of the revenue is not small. It's a substantial amount. So naturally, CSPs will pass on that cost to their customers. "Among them are e-commerce platforms serving SMEs and businesses that rely on the cloud to boost productivity. Those custimers will, in turn, pass the cost down to consumers," he said. Shahril pointed out that over 90 per cent of businesses in Malaysia are SMEs, many of which are still struggling to embrace digital technologies. The additional cost, he added, would further hinder cloud adoption which is a key component in SME digitalisation. "One of the key challenges for SMEs is achieving digitalisation, given the barriers they already face. "Adding further costs due to the USP, which are likely to be passed on, will only deepen resistance to adopting cloud solutions, a critical component of their digital transformation journey. "So this really raises concerns about how such a move negatively impacts one of the very economic development models that have been actively promoting," he added. Khairy noted that no other Southeast Asian country imposes such a levy on CSPs. He warned that global tech giants such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft and Google may view Malaysia as less competitive compared to Singapore, which does not impose any CSP-specific taxation. "I'm sure these companies have already raised the matter with US trade representatives," said Khairy, proposing that the government delay the implementation of the levy by a year to allow time for further discussions with foreign investors. Khairy said the USP fund was originally imposed on telecommunications companies (telcos) like Maxis Bhd and Telekom Malaysia Bhd to fund basic infrastructure development, such as communication towers in rural areas. However, he argued that the same logic does not apply to CSPs which operate under a different business model. "I'm just trying to understand this. Telcos are required to provide widespread services to everyone because we aim for universal coverage. But not everyone needs a cloud service provider. So it doesn't quite make sense to equate CSPs with the USP obligation," he said. Khairy expressed concern that the levy may be based on the assumption that CSPs must "give back" due to their high consumption of electricity and water – even if those resources come from renewable sources. But if that's the case, he argued, the mechanism should be a separate environmental or resource levy instead of the USP fund. Khairy and Shahril said the government must clarify the true rationale behind the levy. They suggested postponing its implementation to allow stakeholder engagement and dialogue with industry players and foreign investors. "We're not rejecting it outright. But there should be clear justification, and no rush.
The Star
11 hours ago
- The Star
From Pulau Banggi to Geneva
PULAU Banggi is the biggest island that is fully within our country's borders, occupying a land mass larger than the better known Langkawi and Penang islands. However, it is not as well known as either, as it is located off the northernmost points of mainland Sabah, about 70km from Kudat. Only accessible by ferry or speedboat, it is home to 20,000 residents whose main economy is fishing, oil palm and rubber. Its remote location is one reason I was elated when the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) Malaysia Digital Inclusion Project was crowned the winner of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Prize 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, recently. The victory was achieved through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission's (MCMC) Nadi Pulau Banggi Initiative. Indeed, the initiative was also named the champion in the 'C4: Capacity Building' category for its success in providing digital literacy, skills training, and economic opportunities to one of Malaysia's most remote island communities. The island's remote location has limited residents' access to education, healthcare and economic growth, but now the Nadi initiative has established community digital hubs that provide high-speed Internet and ICT training to fishermen, farmers, students and small business owners, equipping them with the skills to succeed in today's digital economy. It is a project that rapidly transforms the lives of residents, with youth acquiring ICT skills, women starting online micro-businesses, and local entrepreneurs expanding their markets. It once again reaffirms our firm belief that no one should be left behind in the digital era. Whether they be in a dense and congested urban centre, an impenetrable jungle or the most remote of islands, we will do our best to connect all Malaysians, as quickly and as efficiently as possible. As far as I am concerned the award also belongs to the communities who have embraced digital skills for a better future and to all Malaysians – driving our vision of an inclusive connected nation. As of May 31, we have achieved 82.4% 5G coverage in populated areas and 80.4% adoption rate nationwide. Sabah is now up to 69% coverage and we will strive to achieve more. We have download speeds of 149 megabits per second and a whopping 27.47 million 5G users. Nadi is now being expanded to other underserved areas, including Pulau Mandi Darah (in northern Sabah), with plans for nationwide expansion by 2035 through scalable training modules, community hubs, and long-term funding in Sabah and Sarawak. MCMC's participation in WSIS+20 also signifies support for the efforts of the International Telecommunication Union and demonstrates Malaysia's commitment to all telecommunications and digital initiatives carried out by the UN agency. Malaysia is among the top 10 countries in the world with the cheapest Internet, and we have the second fastest Internet speed in the Asia-Pacific region after South Korea. Frankly, we should be proud and yet use these achievements to spur us on. At the same time, we don't want just faster and cheaper Internet, but we want it to be safer also. That is why we are spearheading the development of the Guidelines for Safe and Responsible Use of Social Media Platforms for Asean. The truth is that if technology is open, without security oversight, it can become a haven for cyber criminals. Every sovereign nation has regulations ensuring safety and security, which big tech must respect. I also call upon those players who are dragging their feet to adhere to our social media licensing policies. Our aim is to establish common principles and best practices for governments, platforms, and users to address harmful content while safeguarding freedom of expression. In this way, we can ensure the Malaysian children of today can have a safe path to becoming digital leaders of tomorrow. Datuk Fahmi Fadzil is Communications Minister.
New Straits Times
a day ago
- New Straits Times
MCMC opens public consultation on communication data regulatory framework
THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has launched a public consultation on its proposed regulatory framework for communication data. The framework follows recent amendments to the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998, which introduced Sections 252A, 252B and 268A. These form the legal basis for new rules governing the retention, preservation and disclosure of communication data for investigations. Under the framework, relevant service providers must retain data for 12 to 18 months, accessible only by law enforcement through legal procedures. Access requires a disclosure notice and must follow principles of necessity, proportionality and legality. The public consultation is open from July 25 to August 8. MCMC invites public and industry feedback on how communication data should be managed to support investigations. Cybersecurity provider LGMS Bhd executive chairman Fong Choong Fook explained the importance of the communications data regulatory framework. "When someone commits a serious online crime like a scam or cyberbullying, enforcement needs to access digital records such as call logs and messages to investigate. But they must do it legally, without unnecessarily invading people's privacy. "A clear framework tells everyone—the telco, the police and the public—what can or cannot be done. It ensures a fair and proper process," he told the New Straits Times. With increasingly complex online criminal threats, a proper framework allows enforcement officers to act faster, follow digital trails more effectively and take action before the damage gets worse. "Today's online crimes are fast, sneaky, and sometimes come from other countries. To catch these criminals, the authorities need quick access to digital information," said Fong. Fong cautioned that any data accessed must follow strict rules, only when necessary, with proper approval. "There should also be checks in place, like independent bodies, to make sure the rules aren't abused," he said. Fong believes MCMC's public consultation is a positive move to break the ice on the topic and instill confidence in the public.
