TAPAH: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will begin cracking down on telecommunication companies that missed yesterday's deadline to submit solutions to poor Internet access.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic) said he had contacted MCMC executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din to instruct the telco companies involved to respond promptly.
“Telecommunication companies need to be more proactive in resolving this issue. When it comes to collecting overdue bills, they’re lightning fast, but when we lodge complaints, it takes months.
“I’ve had enough. If they fail to meet the deadline, MCMC will begin enforcement action against them tomorrow (today),” he told reporters after visiting the National Information Dissemination Centre in Air Kuning here yesterday, Bernama reported.
Also present were Perak communications, multimedia and non-governmental organisation committee chairman Mohd Azlan Helmi and Barisan Nasional candidate for the Ayer Kuning by-election, Dr Mohamad Yusri Bakir.
Fahmi said based on a drive test conducted by MCMC on March 5, many areas still failed to meet the Mandatory Standards on Quality of Service, which currently requires a minimum speed of 7.5Mbps, which will be increased to 10Mbps next year.
“The issue of Internet access is not only limited to Air Kuning; it is also affecting many other areas like Belaga and Ulu Rajang in Sarawak, the new township of Serenia (Selangor), the outskirts of Tambun and even on Pangkor Island (Perak).
“Several Orang Asli villages have also been impacted,” he added.
He said telco companies, which failed to resolve the Internet access problem, would face stricter enforcement measures, including hefty fines and penalties that could reach millions of ringgit.
“After we amended the Communications and Multimedia Act, which came into effect on Feb 11, the fines and compounds that can be imposed on telcos are significantly higher than before,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fahmi reminded netizens to be cautious when making statements or campaigning on social media, especially concerning 3R issues (race, religion and royalty) during the Ayer Kuning by-election period.
He added that those who upload extreme posts or 3R-related content could be fined up to RM500,000, compounded up to RM250,000, or face imprisonment upon conviction.
Asked about Perikatan Nasional supporters using caricatures that seemingly mocked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, Fahmi said he is not surprised by the approach.
“If that’s how they want to campaign, so be it. That’s their way. Let us campaign based on facts, ideas and what we can offer, not just insults and ridicule,” he said.
