By DayakDaily Team
BINTANGOR, July 25: About 726 vandalism cases targeting telecommunication infrastructure have been recorded in Sarawak’s rural connectivity, racking up a staggering RM8.99 million in total damages in 2025 alone.
To tackle this, Sarawak Minister for Utility and Telecommunication Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the State government is ramping up security at high-risk telecommunication sites through an Anti-Vandalism Committee set up by his ministry.
Disclosed during his visit to the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) tower site in Bintangor today, these alarming figures include 28 cases from the local Sarikei Division, which incurred over RM314,500 in losses.
“As part of these efforts, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) has enhanced security at several telecommunication sites that have suffered repeated incidents of vandalism and theft,” he said in a news report as reported by the Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas).
In a bid to curb ongoing trespassing and theft, he said the Sungai Rayah site replaced its old chain-link fences with razor-wire-topped brick walls and upgraded its entrance gate to a heavy-duty galvanised steel one.
At the same time, Julaihi urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities to prevent service disruptions.
Also joining the site visit were Meradong assemblyman Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, MCMC director Adiman Ajem, SDEC chief digital officer Hamadlan Hamdan, and representatives from SACOFA and the Sarikei Division Resident’s Office. — DayakDaily
