IPOH: The state government is reviewing telecommunications infrastructure development in the state, as malfeasance is preventing the systematic collection of revenue from service providers.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the problems arise due to irresponsible communication service providers building towers illegally on some of the state governments’ land, without paying application fees.
“This has caused RM20 million in losses to the state government in terms of fines, application fees, annual permits and safety audits.
“Currently, there are 1,400 registered telecommunications towers, while more than 2,800 illegal telecommunications towers have been identified in the state,” he said at a press conference after the launch of the state telecommunications ‘Services and Infrastructure Development Seminar and Workshop’ at the Weil Hotel here today.
Zambry said he has instructed district councils and K-Perak to execute stern enforcement against owners of illegal telecommunications towers throughout the state.
The workshop today involved more than 100 participants from the State Economic Planning Unit, local government, local authorities, one-stop-centres and land owner agencies.
K-Perak was mandated by the state government as the Telecommunications Infrastructure Coordinator Agency (Apit) to coordinate, manage, monitor, audit and regulate development plans and upgrade telecommunications infrastructure, as well as high-speed optical alignment in the state.