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

KOTA BHARU, Sept 23 — Vandalism and theft of telecommunications infrastructure in Kelantan have surged to alarming levels, potentially disrupting communication coverage and the livelihoods of residents if critical infrastructure suffers damage, warns Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) senior director Mohd Fairus Muhamad.

These incidents have also inflicted significant financial losses on the telecommunications sector due to repair and restoration efforts. Despite these concerns, Mohd Fairus stressed that the estimates still do not factor in the impact on businesses and daily activities of communities reliant on telecommunications services. He emphasized that disruptions to communication infrastructure extend beyond technical systems, potentially affecting learning, work, and business transactions, particularly for online entrepreneurs dependent on network stability.

The consequences of such disruptions can be amplified if shared infrastructure among telecommunications service providers is targeted, rendering all lines inaccessible, including those of CelcomDigi, Maxis, U Mobile, and others, according to Mohd Fairus. The recovery duration hinges on the nature of stolen or damaged components, especially if sourced from the company's headquarters outside Kelantan.

Mohd Fairus revealed that MCMC, alongside enforcement authorities and industry stakeholders, is intensifying coordination efforts by proposing a Telecommunications Infrastructure Vandalism Prevention Sub-Committee comprising MCMC, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), local authorities, the Land and District Office, and industry players.

He has also directed the PDRM to inform MCMC of related operations like Ops Tembaga for coordinated action, as vandalism cases involve multiple service providers, including Telekom Malaysia. Mohd Fairus urged the public to report any suspicious activity concerning telecommunications infrastructure to MCMC or the police, especially in regions with high rates of vandalism and theft.

He also reminded contractors and the public to utilize the Call Before You Dig initiative to prevent fiber optic cables from being severed during excavation, which could result in widespread service disruptions.