No monopoly, restriction for telco companies – Salleh

(Borneo Post) – The Ministry of Communication and Multimedia encourages more competition among telecommunication (telco) companies to drive down the cost of Internet services.

Its minister, Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Mohd Salleh Tun Said Keruak, said there was no monopoly for telco companies in our country, nor was there restriction on coverage provision in any areas.

He said some telco companies might have commercial consideration with certain parties, but there was no monopoly in this industry.

Salleh said this in a press conference when asked why only one Internet service provider was accessible in certain residential areas, such as Cyber City, after delivering his keynote address at the federal civil servants’ gathering in Sabah here yesterday.

He was invited to speak on the topic ‘Role of Civil Servant in Spreading of Information through Social Media’.

Salleh added that the ministry had identified areas with poor Internet connectivity, including Kingfisher and Likas and he vowed to look into the issue.

“I have been briefed on this matter and we are working to resolve it,” he said, adding that there had been improvement in Internet speed in Kingfisher with the availability of UniFi.

He said the government emphasized on coverage, affordability and speed of Internet in Malaysia.

“There are too many people using Internet now till it is congested.”

He said Internet facilities that might be sufficient in the past would need to be upgraded now to cope with the increasing demand.

On the other hand, Salleh said the ministry had acquired a technology to trace sources who spread extremism on social media.

He said there were laws in place to combat extremism but as the sources often used fictitious names, there was a need to uncover who they were.

Without divulging too much details, he said the technology could help in the investigation into these sources.

“This technology is not used for spying, it is to identify the sources for the relevant authority to prosecute,” he assured.

On his keynote address, Salleh said he had called upon civil servants at the federal and state levels to explain and implement government policies.

“I have explained the importance for them to cooperate with one another to expedite the actions that should be taken.”

He added that civil servants should also utilize social media as a means to execute their tasks and not to destroy the unity in Malaysia or involve in viral messages that have no benefit.

Salleh said civil servants could utilize social media to disseminate information to the people and obtain their reactions.

“Social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatApp and Line have their users, but problem arises when government servants leaked information.

“For example, a leak on tender even before the process is finalized.”

He said what was more important was for social media users to utilize the applications for good.

“As a progressive nation, we have promised to the world that we will not hinder the development of technology, but that does not mean that we will not impose law against offenders.”

He said China had blocked Facebook in the country, yet the people could still find ways to access the website.

“More importantly, we should educate Malaysians on the advantages of social media and be cautious of the things that should not be done.”

Also present were Sabah Federal Secretary Datuk Borhan bin Dolah and Deputy Federal Secretary Musa bin Sulaiman.