By Dayangku Hidayatul
KUCHING, Oct 15: Sarawak is set to see improved internet connectivity at nearly 350 locations under the RM545 million first phase of Jalinan Digital Negara (JENDELA) 2, with implementation expected to begin on first quarter of 2027.
Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said letters of acceptance had been handed over to the parties responsible for implementing the project, which covers six clusters throughout the state.
“For JENDELA Phase 2, implementation will begin once the companies involved have signed the letters of acceptance handed over today.
“In the coming months, they may begin bringing equipment to the sites where telecommunications towers will be built. So, work will begin almost immediately,” he said after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the Kuching Smart City and Digital Connectivity project at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUS) today.
Meanwhile, Fahmi said the MADANI Submarine Cable Connection (SALAM) project was expected to begin towards the end of this year or early 2027, with completion estimated within two to three years.
The project will involve 10 undersea cable landing points nationwide, including three in Sarawak, five in Sabah and the remainder in Peninsular Malaysia.
Fahmi said Bintulu, Matu and Buntal in Kuching were among the locations being studied for the landing points, with Bintulu expected to support the development of the Miri-Bintulu port and surrounding areas.
He said the final locations had yet to be confirmed and would be announced later.
Fahmi added that SALAM would complement the existing operational 1Malaysia People’s Cable System (SKR1M). The Smart City initiative would also include fibre-optic infrastructure to support closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems and other smart-city applications.
He said the federal government would work closely with Sarawak’s Ministry of Utility and Telecommunications to strengthen the state’s telecommunications infrastructure and support the growth of its digital economy. — DayakDaily
