Floods: Site Hardening Process Completed At 446 Transmitter Stations Nationwide - Teo

RAUB, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Telcos have completed a site hardening process at 446 communication transmitter stations in locations identified as high-risk for flooding, said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

She said of that figure, tower platforms at 110 sites have been raised by three metres to ensure that they can continue to operate effectively during flooding, with the majority of the sites in Pahang.

"It is part of MCMC's (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) efforts to ensure that communication services are not disrupted. After identifying flood-prone hotspot areas, we will ask service providers to elevate the equipment, a process we call site hardening.

"It won't face any issues during flooding unless the electricity is cut off. Out of the 446 sites that have been hardened, 164 are in Kelantan," she said after visiting the telecommunication tower in Kampung Tanjung Putus here today.

Earlier, Teo visited Kampung Pintu Padang to check on the internet connectivity and services as well as to deliver food aid from CelcomDigi to 47 families affected by floods.

She said the Communications Ministry will continue to intensify efforts to ensure internet connectivity and services in flood-hit states remain at the optimal level for the wellbeing of the people.

"I also hope that internet users make good use of these services to benefit others and avoid creating fake news. During floods, everyone is already exhausted, so why create fake news or unnecessary issues?" she added.

Meanwhile, Teo said MCMC is collaborating with service providers to issue early disaster warnings through SMS notifications, called SMS Blast, which started in October.

"As of Dec 6, we have sent over 3 million SMS messages," she said, adding that the SMS alert will continue as the National Disaster Management Agency has issued a warning of a possible second wave of flooding.

-- BERNAMA