SMA targets completion of 4,677 telco towers by year-end to boost statewide digital connectivity
(Front row, from third left) Dennis, Anyi, Tiong, Penguang, Gerawat and others in a photocall with participants during the townhall session.
MIRI (May 8): The Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) is targeting the completion of 4,677 telecommunication towers across the state by the end of this year, as part of its digital infrastructure development under the State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication.
Emphasising that internet access is now a basic necessity just like water and electricity, SMA general manager Dato Dr Anderson Tiong said this initiative aligns with the Sarawak government's Post-Covid-19 Development Strategy 2030 (PCDS 2030).
'We aim to build around 7,000 towers to provide coverage for every community in Sarawak. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of various agencies, we have already completed 4,349 towers (to date),' he said.
An additional 328 towers are scheduled for completion in 2025, with the remaining towers to be rolled out in subsequent years, Tiong added.
He was speaking at the second Sarawak Telecommunication and Multimedia Development Townhall Session for the Miri Division 2025, which was attended by elected representatives, community and village chiefs, councillors, and other stakeholders.
The townhall served to update participants on current and upcoming developments in Sarawak's telecommunication and digital economy agenda.
The event featured presentations from SMA, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC), and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency.
Miri Division has achieved 89.2 per cent internet coverage, reflecting the positive impact of the infrastructure rollout.
Beyond telecommunications, SMA also spearheads broader digital transformation efforts, in accordance with the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Ordinance 2017, Tiong noted.
These include strategic initiatives and stakeholder collaborations to drive inclusive, sustainable growth and prepare Sarawak for the digital future.
Among the key initiatives is S Pay Global, the state government's own e-wallet platform managed by SMA which has recorded 1.56 million users, over 94,000 participating merchants, and RM5.1 billion in transaction volume, he said.
He said S Pay Global has enabled more Sarawakians and businesses to embrace cashless transactions and participate in the digital economy.
SMA is also prioritising cybersecurity and public awareness to safeguard the state's digital landscape, he added.
However, telecommunication infrastructure vandalism remains a concern.
Such acts not only disrupt government services but also impact those who depend on connectivity for communication, education, and business, Tiong noted.
' We are working with all agencies under the State Ministry of Utility and Telecommunication to address this issue. But we also need your help as the eyes and ears on the ground. We count on you to protect our shared infrastructure and to report any damage or suspicious activity immediately,' he said.
Among those present during the townhall session were State Deputy Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Datuk Liwan Lagang, State Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performance Art Datuk Sebastian Ting, State Deputy Minister of Public Health, Housing and Local Government Datuk Dr Penguang Manggil, Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department (Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring) Datuk Gerawat Gala, Baram MP Datuk Anyi Ngau, and Telang Usan assemblyman Dato Dennis Ngau. Anderson Tiong SMA telco towers
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