BINTANGOR: The Sarawak Government continues to strengthen the protection of telecommunications infrastructure through the implementation of various security measures to curb vandalism and theft activities that could disrupt the continuity of services to the public.

Minister of Utility and Telecommunication, Dato Sri Julaihi Narawi said the effort is being carried out continuously through the Anti-Vandalism Committee established by his ministry, involving cooperation from various relevant agencies.

"Through the Anti-Vandalism Committee established by my ministry, apart from awareness efforts, various preventive initiatives have been implemented to address vandalism and theft involving telecommunications infrastructure.

"As part of this effort, SDEC has strengthened security at several telecommunications sites that have repeatedly experienced incidents of vandalism and theft," he said during a working visit to the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) tower site at Sungai Rayah, on Saturday.

He added that at the Sungai Rayah site, the chain-link perimeter fencing has been upgraded to a brick wall fitted with wire fencing, while the entrance gate has been replaced with a sturdier galvanised steel gate to prevent intrusion, vandalism and theft.

He also revealed that a total of 726 cases of vandalism involving telecommunications infrastructure were recorded throughout Sarawak in 2025, with estimated losses of RM8.99 million, while Sarikei Division recorded 28 cases involving losses of about RM314,534.42.

In this regard, he called on the community to jointly protect public assets by reporting any suspicious activity to the authorities to ensure the telecommunications network remains stable and unaffected.

During the visit, Dato Sri Julaihi and the delegation were briefed on the security measures that have been implemented before personally inspecting the improvements at the site.

The visit also served as a platform for the Sarawak Ministry of Utilities and Telecommunication, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) and SACOFA to assess the effectiveness of existing security measures and identify improvements that could be extended to other high-risk telecommunications sites.

Also present were Meradong Assemblyman, Datuk Ding Kuong Hiing, MCMC Director, Adiman Ajem, SDEC Chief Digital Officer, Ts. Hamadlan Hamdan, and a representative from the Sarikei Divisional Resident's Office. -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng