KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 11 — The second Starlink internet device has been installed at Kampung Orang Asli Hulu Kemensah near here today, said Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.
In a Facebook post, Fahmi said the area is the first Orang Asli settlement to be installed with the Starlink device, and the second location chosen after the Kuala Pilah Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) campus in Negeri Sembilan.
Fahmi said the internet quality at the settlement was very poor and nearly nonexistent for the 135 residents there.
“My objective remains the same, which is to ensure the remaining 3 per cent of populated areas without internet are given priority,” he said.
At present, 97 per cent of populated areas in the country have internet access.
In the post, Fahmi said he has asked the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to conduct further study on long-term solutions, including tower construction and fibre-optic installation.
“May this internet service bring new light to local residents,” he said.
On July 15, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reportedly said the government planned to install 40 satellite Starlink internet devices at higher learning institutions around the country to help students unable to study due to poor internet access.
Anwar said the decision was made during his recent virtual meeting with SpaceX chief executive officer Elon Musk.
— Bernama
