KOTA BHARU: The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia has asked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to monitor telecommunication towers located in flood-prone locations to ensure that they are operational following the wet weather conditions.
Its caretaker minister, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, said all telelecommunications companies are also required to conduct direct monitoring in addition to being guided by maps of existing flood areas to ensure that access to the telecommunication towers are not cut off.
"We need to be more proactive this year to ensure that power supply is not cut off to these telecommunications towers during the floods. This can disrupt communication coverage. We do not want this to happen again like last year.
"I hope that all telcos will take immediate action to bring in generators to power the telecommunication towers in flood prone areas that in the event that the electricity supply is cut, the telecommunication connection is not affected. Those affected by the floods can still call for help," he told reporters after officiating the Malaysian Family eSports Community Carnival at the Kelantan Poverty Foundation (YKK) Complex, Melor, here today.
Meanwhile, in another development, he said, all telcos and MCMC have been given instructions to check the level of the internet network so that it is upgraded to ensure the smoothness of the vote counting day on November 19.
"Previously I received a complaint in one of the places in Baling, Kedah and it was reported to MCMC. A temporary 'booster' was used to obtain smooth internet access in the area concerned.
"I have asked all district voting centres to check the internet access to enable the Election Commission to conduct the election as best as possible and telecommunications will also not be interrupted, " he said.
