NATIONAL INTERNET COVERAGE REACHES 99.71 PCT BY END-2025 – FAHMI

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 4 (Bernama) -- Internet and communications coverage in populated areas nationwide reached 99.71 per cent as at Dec 31, 2025, compared with 91.8 per cent prior to the implementation of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA), the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said the achievement reflects the government’s commitment, through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), to expand inclusive internet access, particularly in rural and remote areas.

“The government fully recognises the importance of reliable internet access not only for education and the economy, but also in providing opportunities and hope to people across the country, especially those in villages, rural communities and remote areas.

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“Through MCMC, the government remains committed to strengthening the nation’s digital infrastructure to ensure wider and more inclusive access for all Malaysians under the implementation of JENDELA,” he said when winding up the debate on the Motion of Thanks for the Royal Address for his ministry.

Fahmi said that for remote or off-grid areas where terrestrial infrastructure cannot be developed in the short term, the ministry is assessing interim solutions, including the use of satellite technology such as Starlink.

He said the government is also encouraging infrastructure sharing among telecommunications companies to accelerate coverage expansion and improve service quality for users.

Fahmi said MCMC has issued directives to certain telecommunications companies to close the gap between a location’s composite coverage and the actual service quality experienced by users, and has imposed compounds on non-compliant operators.

On complaints by fishermen in Kuala Teriang, Langkawi, who lose coverage while at sea, he said the issue will be examined, including the possibility of signal interference and the limitations of existing tower coverage.

Fahmi also acknowledged signal disruption issues in border areas such as Rantau Panjang, partly due to signal spillover from neighbouring countries, adding that the matter is being addressed through coordination with the relevant foreign telecommunications authorities.

He said priority is also being given to disaster-prone areas to ensure communications remain uninterrupted during emergencies, including through site-hardening measures at telecommunications towers in flood-prone locations.

In a separate development, Fahmi said the government had submitted 5,409 requests to digital platform providers to remove manipulated images and deepfake content from 2022 until Jan 15 this year, with 4,955 items, or 92 per cent, successfully taken down.

For false content, he said 59,967 takedown requests were submitted during the same period, with 51,912 items, or 87 per cent, removed.

Between Jan 1 and Jan 15 this year, Fahmi said two takedown requests involving obscene content under Act 866 were submitted, both of which were successfully removed.

“With the rapid growth of AI-generated content, the creation and spread of manipulative material has accelerated, increasing the risk of misinformation that could mislead users and disrupt public harmony,” he said.

He added that all takedown actions were carried out based on complaints received, platform community guidelines and applicable local laws.

-- BERNAMA