PETALING JAYA: The government is proposing to install 40 Starlink satellite broadband devices at higher education institutions to upgrade the internet connectivity in campuses.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said higher education institutions would be the first to be equipped with the Starlink devices after receiving complaints on slow internet connectivity during his visits to universities across the country.
Anwar said the matter was discussed with SpaceX chief executive officer Elon Musk during a virtual meeting on Friday (July 14).
"So during the meeting with Musk, I told Fahmi Fadzil (Communications and Digital Minister) yesterday, to purchase the (Starlink) devices soon and we will install it at any universities that need it.
"Musk said he would provide us with 40 devices. He also assured that if we need more units, we can also purchase to install them for rural areas," he was quoted as saying on Saturday (July 15) in Sungai Petani.
Anwar, who is also the Finance Minister, said the installation of the satellite devices was expected to be expanded to rural areas to assist local entrepreneurs.
"But we will start with universities, polytechnic and schools first that need access to the internet.
"It is a small device but it can turn a slow connection to faster access. If there is no internet connection at all, the device will be provided because it is linked directly to the satellite," he said.
Anwar added Musk, who is one of the world’s richest men, decided to invest in Malaysia based on the country’s political stability and economic direction.
"He knows that I am leading a stable government. He knows that Anwar, together with Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak ensure a strong government and clear economic policies.
"He wants to know where we are heading, our priorities are the rural economy, food security and the digital economy," said Anwar.
