KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to implement system communication infrastructure permit management (CIPM) in the state.
MCMC chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Ali Hanafiah Mohd Yunus said the CIMP was to ensure the installation of communication towers by the service providers were approved by the local authorities and to identify those operating without valid permits.
"The CIPM also aims to facilitate the application and permit renewal as well as future service providers by the local authorities.
"It will even help to implement the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela). With accurate information on digital infrastructure in Sabah, efforts to improve the coverage will be more effective," he said.
The MoU was signed between the state Local Government and Housing Ministry, eight local authorities and MCMC at Wisma Innoprise today.
Among the local authorities involved in today's MoU signing are the Tawau Municipal Council, the Sandakan Municipal Council, the Penampang Municipal Council, the Putatan District Council, the Tuaran District Council, the Keningau District Council, the Beaufort District Council and the Kudat Town Board.
State Local Government and Housing Ministry permanent secretary Datuk Dr Jamili Nais witnessed the MoU signing.
The other 18 local authorities are expected to sign the MoU in the second quarter of next year while Kota Kinabalu City Hall is expected to sign it next month.
Since there were many service providers in the country, Ali encouraged them to share their communication towers so that there would be no duplication in certain areas.
On service providers who had built their communication towers without approval, he said they might be slapped with compounds, but it would be up to the local authorities.
"We are working closely with the local authorities and we don't want to scare them (service providers) like going around to catch them.
"We will invite them to work closely with us. We are aware they have gone ahead to build first before getting the approval, because there are demand in the area," he said.
State Assistant Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Isnin Aliasnih said the federal government had allocated some RM3.6 billion to install communication towers and other projects in Sabah under Jendela from 2020 to 2022.
"We hope they can speed up the implementation of the projects to provide better internet coverage to the people in the rural areas," he urged.