KKD to identify rural areas, islands still lack of communication network

Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said she would ask the relevant agencies to identify and prepare the list as soon as possible for further action.

"I will ask for a list to identify any rural area or island that still does not have telephone service or network so that we can talk to telecommunication companies to have the services provided as soon as possible," she told reporters after visiting the Disaster Operations Command Centre at the Civil Defence Force headquarters here today.

She said this in response to the allegation that telecommunication services were still lacking especially in flood hotspots in rural areas, such as the Orang Asli settlement in Mersing.

Teo said it is the government's focus area, especially KKD, to ensure that communication services are always in good condition, not interrupted or cut off, especially when there is a disaster.

On whether KKD had received any reports about communication disruptions in Terengganu and Kelantan which are now severely affected by floods, Teo said no reports had been received so far, but the telecommunications companies had been asked to be on standby.

"The situation is still under control, even at temporary relief centres. So far, we have not received any complaints. If there are problems, just send the report to KKD and we will look into it," she said.

She said the telecommunication companies will also provide generator sets in the event of a power outage to ensure that the telecommunication towers can still operate in addition to placing cellular mobiles in most occupied PPS.