Inclement weather: The Communications Ministry is preparing to keep connectivity running in the face of possible flooding next year. — AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: The Communications Ministry remains on high alert ahead of possible major flooding early next year, to ensure communication services and network connectivity are not interrupted, says minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil.
He said the ministry’s main focus is to ensure rapid restoration of communication networks and connectivity in affected areas, while providing assistance to those impacted.
Fahmi said the major floods that hit several districts in Kelantan earlier this year provided important lessons, prompting stronger preparation, particularly through closer cooperation with telecommunications companies and providers of communication tower infrastructure.
“During the major floods earlier this year, many towers were badly affected, with bridges washed away and even cables damaged. That is why I have instructed teams to remain on high alert and be fully prepared,” he said.
Fahmi said this in an interview with Bernama, led by its editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Duraj Raj, acting deputy editor-in-chief of News Services Mohd Shukri Ishak and executive editor of Economic News Service M. Saraswathi.
He said close coordination with telecommunications companies would enable prompt restoration of affected communication towers once power supply and fibre connections are restored.
“Our preparedness is stronger this year, especially in coordinating with telcos to ensure flood-affected towers can be restored swiftly, subject to the availability of electricity and fibre connections.
“Secondly, temporary relief centres will be equipped with WiFi and, if necessary, Starlink. This time, team deployment is much faster and telcos are playing a crucial role in resolving these issues,” he said.
Fahmi also said the ministry and relevant agencies have implemented site hardening measures at communication towers, including raising the structures of TNB distribution boards to prevent damage from rising water levels.
Fahmi added that his ministry and its agencies remain on standby to provide welfare assistance, including through the Madani Ehsan Squad and a disaster fund managed by the ministry.
On the welfare of media practitioners, he said the Tabung Kasih @Hawana under the ministry is sufficient to assist disaster-affected journalists or their families.
On a separate matter, Fahmi said the ministry will focus next year on strengthening three key areas, namely digital infrastructure, the creative or orange economy, and the government’s strategic communication capabilities to deliver information to the public more effectively.
He said the top priority is digital infrastructure, describing it as the “staple”’ of both the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
He noted that under Budget 2026, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced several major projects for MCMC and the ministry to implement.
This includes completing the Point of Presence project and rolling out Phase 2 of the National Digital Network (Jendela) plan.
“Jendela Phase 2 will help ensure internet coverage is provided at 2,700 locations nationwide, particularly in areas that previously had no access,” he said when addressing the ministry’s monthly assembly yesterday.
