PANGKOR ISLAND: Telecommunication companies suffered losses of nearly RM50 million last year due to thousands of cable theft cases in the country.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commissions (MCMC) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Halim Shafie said the trend is worrying as the rising number of telephone cable thefts has cost telecommunication companies losses of up to millions of ringgit.
“Most cases occurred in the outskirts and among the main reasons for the increase in theft cases is the high market price of copper.
“This has not only cost telecommunication companies millions of ringgit, but also jeopardised telephone services,” he told reporters this at a press conference after attending an ‘Address For All’ event for unnumbered premises in Dataran Kurma here today.
On a separate note, Halim said the people living on the island would soon enjoy a better telecommunication and services with the installation undersea fibre optic.
“We are well-aware that the island has weak telecommunication services, be it quality or speed. We are doing our level best to improve this.
“The nine-kilometre installation work has begun last year and it is expected to be completed finished by the end of the year. The undersea fibre optic is being installed from the Marina Island jetty until Pasir Bogak.
“Through this fibre optic installation, people living here can enjoy better communication services, not only a fixed line but also Long-Term Evolution (LTE) services,” he added.