KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 266 out of 577 telecommunication towers under Phase 1 of the National Digital Network (JENDELA) initiative remain non-operational, surpassing the nine-month target deadline, the Dewan Rakyat was informed. Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil highlighted this issue, noting that it involves multiple companies, with YTL Communications Sdn Bhd notably failing to complete any of the 51 tower projects awarded to them.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi Fadzil addressed the matter in response to a query from Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (PN-Kuala Kangsar) regarding the status and actions taken against contractors who failed to meet the project deadlines. Besides YTL, other companies involved include CelcomDigi, which has 366 towers still in progress out of 866; Maxis, with 96 towers under construction from a total of 134; UMobile, with 19 towers still being built out of 143; and REDTone, with 45 towers under construction out of 191.
Fahmi emphasized that contractors may fac
e significant repercussions for delays. Potential penalties under the Notice of Designation to tower builders include liquidated damages, forfeiture of the Performance Bond, rejection of claims, and legal action under the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
As of October 31, 1,385 out of 1,661 towers were completed, though only 808 were operational. The minister stated that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has been tasked with monitoring delayed tower projects, with current considerations to impose liquidated damages.
Fahmi also announced government plans to achieve 100 percent internet coverage in populated areas by 2025 under JENDELA, with MCMC providing infrastructure and essential communication services in rural and remote areas through the Universal Service Provision (USP) Fund. As part of JENDELA, 8.88 million premises now have access to fiber optic connectivity, with a median mobile broadband speed of 105.75 Mbps and broadband coverage in populated areas reaching 98.
38 percent as of the end of October.