KOTA MARUDU: Residents of Kampung Magandai, approximately 70km from here, are forced to climb the eight-kilometre trail up Bukit Tamu in the village to access the internet.
The dangerous and exhausting journey to the top of the hill takes nearly two hours, using a path through dense, steep, and slippery terrain in the thick forest.
Village resident, Suanie Din, 37, said that the number of people climbing the hill to access the internet varies because it depends on each person's schedule.
"The number of residents climbing to access the internet at the same time is not consistent; sometimes there are many, and sometimes only three to four people.
"Only by climbing the high hill can Magandai residents browse the internet, although its speed is not as fast as facilities in the town area," she said.
It is understood that the residents of Magandai started climbing the hill for internet access more than three years ago. According to Suanie, residents climb the hill three times a week just to browse the internet.
"In a week, we climb up Bukit Tamu three times and stay at the top for two hours. We have to use umbrellas to shelter from the sun or rainy weather because Bukit Tamu is not equipped with any such facilities," she said.
"Usually, we leave home as early as 6am, and the journey to the top of Bukit Tamu is quite challenging and tiring. We get there only around 10.30am," she added.
Suanie said that the nearest internet transmitter is near SK Magandai, about 15km from the village. However, internet access does not reach residents when they are at home because it is blocked by the high hill.
"This forces the residents to find an alternative by climbing the hill to enable internet browsing, even though the access there is poorer," she explained.
According to her, the journey back down the hill is more dangerous, exposing residents to the risk of falling into the ravine.
"So far, we have never encountered wild animals while climbing Bukit Tamu for the internet; however, we are always cautious about that risk," she said.
In this regard, she hopes that the government can consider providing a Digital Economic Centre (Pedi) in Magandai for the convenience of local residents.