SALAM Project To Enhance Internet Connectivity, Data Transmission Nationwide - Teo

KULAI, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The development of the MADANI Submarine Cable Connection (SALAM), with an allocation of RM2 billion under the 2026 Budget, is set to play a pivotal role in ensuring seamless internet connectivity and efficient data transmission throughout the country.

Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching said the implementation of the project represents a crucial step towards strengthening Malaysia’s digital infrastructure, in line with the government’s commitment to building a resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem under the Malaysia MADANI framework.

She said the initiative also aims to accommodate the capacity limitations of the existing 1Malaysia People’s Cable System (SCREAM), which has been in operation for many years.

“SCREAM has been established for a long time, and its capacity is now reaching its limits. Therefore, there is an urgent need for us to build a new submarine cable network,” she said.

She added that the demand for data transmission continues to grow rapidly, especially with the expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and increasing reliance on digital platforms.

“The volume of data being transmitted via the internet today is extremely large, and it continues to rise sharply in this era of AI,” she said at a press conference after officiating the fish release programme at Sungai Pontian Besar, here today.

Teo said this when asked to comment on the positive impact of the construction of SALAM, which was announced by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when tabling the 2026 Budget last Friday.

The construction of the 3,190-kilometre submarine cable will be undertaken by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

The undersea route will stretch from Sedili in Johor to Kuching and Sibu in Sarawak, before extending to Tuaran, Kudat, Pulau Banggi, Sandakan and Tawau in Sabah.

Previously, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil was quoted as saying that the SALAM project is intended to replace the ageing SCREAM system, which has been in use for more than ten years.

-- BERNAMA