Kelantan telecoms at risk of major outages as cable vandalism and theft soar, says says regional MCMC official

KOTA BHARU, Sept 23 — Telecommunications infrastructure in Kelantan is facing a significant rise in vandalism and theft, posing a serious threat to communication services and the livelihoods of its residents, warned Mohd Fairus Muhamad, senior director of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Eastern Region Office.

The increase in incidents is causing millions of ringgit in repair and restoration costs, while the loss of these services would also affect businesses and daily activities of residents who rely on telecommunications for online work and transactions. Mohd Fairus emphasized that the impact of such disruptions could be even more severe if the damage or theft occurs on infrastructure shared by multiple telecommunications providers.

In such cases, a single act of vandalism may cut off all communication lines for users, irrespective of their service provider. The recovery time for the damaged infrastructure can vary based on the components affected, particularly if the stolen or damaged equipment needs to be sourced from the company's headquarters outside Kelantan.

To combat this growing problem, the MCMC is collaborating with enforcement authorities and industry stakeholders and is proposing the formation of a Telecommunications Infrastructure Vandalism Prevention Sub-Committee. This committee, which includes representatives from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), local authorities, the Land and District Office, and industry players, aims to enhance coordination between various entities.

Mohd Fairus also urged the public to report any suspicious activity involving telecommunications infrastructure to the MCMC or the police, especially in regions with high rates of vandalism and theft. Additionally, he cautioned contractors and the general public to follow the "Call Before You Dig" initiative to prevent accidental damage to fibre optic cables, which can lead to large-scale service disruptions.