KULAI: Only 30 percent of the 1,661 telecommunications (telco) towers under the National Digital Network (Jendela) project have been completed and are fully operational nationwide.
Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the percentage translates to 716 telco towers, out of which only 492 are fully operational.
"Factors contributing to the delay in the Jendela project, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, include the lack of suitable sites and contractor delays," she told reporters after visiting the telco tower sites in Kampung Murni Jaya 2 and Kampung Tersusun Murni Jaya here today.
The project in the two states, which started in 2022, was supposed to be completed within 18 months, but it is only 50 percent completed in Sabah and 20 percent in Sarawak, she added.
Also present was the State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman, Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor.
"Our focus is indeed on Sabah and Sarawak.
"We need to use microwave or satellite technology for communication in remote areas, as fiber optics would take too long.
"We're exploring new solutions," she said.
On a separate matter, Teo advised social media users to exercise restraint in criticising matters related to sensitive racial issues, such as the controversy over the George Town Festival 2024 video, which purportedly did not promote goodwill.
"It may be a mistake on one side, but it should not escalate into a racial issue. My advice is to be responsible netizens and not misuse the available facilities.
"Most importantly, I want to advise the organisers to learn from this mistake so that in the future, they can do better, like the Sarawak Rainforest Festival," she said.
On Monday, the Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) expressed dissatisfaction over the promotional video for the George Town Festival 2024, claiming it only promoted Chinese and Indian cultures.
The festival organisers have since issued an apology and taken down the video.– Bernama