KUANTAN: Recognising telecommunication networks as a third utility in the 2021 Budget has gotten the ball rolling for improved internet connectivity nationwide.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said plans to list internet services as the third public utility after water and electricity was previously discussed by the National Physical Planning Council (NPPC) chaired by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
"It will be raised again in a meeting between Prime Minister with all menteris besar and chief ministers next month. I will share the details about internet utility during the meeting.
"Once telecommunication networks is recognised in the budget, we hope it will help to expedite efforts for approval and building assets such as communication towers. Although we have the policies in place, it is crucial to ensure the approvals so there will not be delays," he said after attending the Kuantan Malaysian Hindu Sangam Deepavali celebration, here, today.
Saifuddin, who is also Indera Mahkota member of parliament, said the next process will involve discussion between the ministry and the state government to iron out certain procedures or regulations.
He said the process might require the amendment of some related laws and regulation to ensure the local authorities include requirements for telecommunication line or fiber optic cables as part of the planning permission.
"We understand that states have different laws and procedures so we need to discuss this. Including internet connectivity in the planning permission will save a lot of time... it could even be months or years.
"The planning permission will usually consist of the piping layout (water) and wiring system (electricity) plan while internet would usually be installed much later after the development project is completed as this later becomes a setback to ensure proper internet services," he said.
Saifuddin said he has already met the Pahang, Kedah, Selangor and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar, and Penang state executive council member Zairil Khir Johari to speak about including internet as the third utility and they were positive with the idea.
"I am confident the other state leaders will understand and show similar interest. Everyone is on the same page but we need to sit down together, and I am waiting for the opportunity to present it during the meeting (with Prime Minister and all state leaders) next month," he said.
Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz yesterday announced that telecommunication networks could now be considered as a third utility and that virtual services were becoming more common in the new norm.
On the 2021 Budget, Saifuddin described it as a comprehensive budget whereby the contents catered for the well-being of the people who were hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
"I believe the huge allocation for internet facilities is related to the pandemic as previously we noticed a lot of funds disbursed to the ministry during Prihatin (Kita Prihatin) and Penjana (Economic Recovery Plan)... people these days rely a lot on online and the digital world.
"The budget is focused on getting the country's economy back on track by allocating funds for programmes related to spur economic growth which were affected by the pandemic," he said.