S'WAK TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN AGAINST ELECTRICAL, TELECOMMUNICATIONS INFRASTRUCTURE VANDALISM

MUKAH, June 25 (Bernama) -- Sarawak will launch a major awareness campaign aimed at tackling the rampant issue of vandalism on telecommunications and electrical infrastructure, which has been causing widespread service disruptions and significant financial losses in the state.

State Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi said the campaign will kick off at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) on July 3. 

He said vandalism has resulted in extensive damage to both telecommunications and electrical infrastructure, with estimated losses exceeding RM20 million in the past year alone.

“Theft of cables and vandalism of equipment such as batteries have led to significant disruptions in telecommunications services,” he told reporters after a visit to the Sarawak Water Supply Grid Programme for Stressed Areas work site in Pulau Bruit earlier today.

Julaihi said vandalism and cable theft have notably impacted over 1,200 telecommunications towers across Sarawak, including those constructed by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) initiative by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in rural areas.

He said the campaign aims to enhance public awareness and foster community vigilance in reporting acts of vandalism promptly. It will involve collaboration among government agencies, telecommunications service providers, educational institutions and the public.

“In addition, schools across Sarawak will actively participate in educating students about the adverse impact of vandalism and the collective responsibility in safeguarding these critical facilities,” he said.

-- BERNAMA