KUALA LUMPUR: Labuan is set to be the first territory in Malaysia to meet the National Fiberisation and Connectivity Plan’s target by 2020, ahead of previously scheduled 2023, Labuan Corp chairman Datuk Seri Amir Hussien said.
It is also expected to be the first to boast 5G technology, as soon as next year, he added.
Under NFCP, the government had set a few targets, one of which was to provide an average speed of 30 Mbps in 98 per cent of populated areas and gigabits availability in all state capitals including Labuan by 2023.
NFCP is a RM21.6 billion national connectivity plan that gives both the urban and rural population equal access to the Internet in an effort to reduce the digital divide.
Amir Hussien said by end of this year, local telecommunication companies will start upgrading their infrastructure to provide high quality and better internet speed and coverage in the whole island.
“This is a joint effort between telecommunication players, MCMC and Labuan Corp. It will be completed by 2020 and we work really hard to ensure that it is ahead of schedule.
“By year-end, Telekom Malaysia Bhd will be converting the copper cabling to fibre optic while other telcos are upgrading their connectivity in Labuan,” he said.
“Having a high speed connectivity in Labuan is key to attracting foreign and domestic direct investments,” he added.
He said Labuan was among a few areas or states that had implemented 5G trial and its deployment may begin as soon as next year.
Meanwhile, Amir Hussien said Labuan Corp had attracted key direct investments into the country.
This is less than a year since Labuan Corp had a new leadership, he added.
“Attracting direct investments into the country is work in progress. We have a lot of proposals on our table from the private sector, expressing their interest to be part of Labuan’s economic development.
“We have awarded two development works which would help promote Labuan’s economic growth. What is more important is that it is all for Labuan and its people as the development will create more jobs for Labuanese,” he said.
Amir Hussein said the corporation has awarded Singaporean Exchange-listed company Nam Cheong Ltd for transformation work of Labuan Halal Complex into modern and state of the art ship building yards and marine engineering facilities.
“The initial investment cost is about RM71 million and they will start the work in November. They informed us that they will start hiring locals for their business operation,” he said.
In addition to that, Amir Hussien said Hotel Billion Waterfront Resort had been sold to RedLand Group for a refurbishment into a five-star hotel comprising 130 rooms.
This will be the second five-star hotel in the island after Dorsett to accommodate tourists coming to Labuan, he added.