Kota Kinabalu: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and telecommunications companies have been urged to prioritise and formulate immediate solutions to enhance internet quality at key tourist destinations in Sabah, particularly in preparation for Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026). Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said this was essential to ensure that tourists can enjoy high-speed internet to share their experiences of Malaysia's natural beauty, especially Sabah, while also benefiting from top-tier connectivity services.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi emphasized the importance of addressing connectivity issues at Sabah's tourism hotspots. He expressed his aspiration for focused attention from telecommunication service providers and the MCMC to ensure tourists have access to fast internet, especially as VM2026 approaches. He also highlighted the need for improved public Wi-Fi facilities to cater to visitors who wish to share their experiences on social media.
Fahmi shared these insights with reporters after attending a coverage testing session at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC). The session was attended by key figures such as Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, Information Department director-general Julina Johan, Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) editor-in-chief Arul Rajoo Durar Raj, and MCMC State Coordination Division head Bukhari Yahya.
The minister noted that enhancing service quality could lead to economic benefits for tourism-based businesses by expanding their online promotional reach. During the testing session, five telecommunication service providers-CelcomDigi, Maxis, UMobile, Unifi Mobile, and Yes-were evaluated, with average internet speeds ranging from 89 Mbps to 200 Mbps, indicating satisfactory coverage in key areas.
Despite this, Fahmi acknowledged that some areas, such as the reception counter and veterinary clinic at the Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and the Lakeside Pavilion at the RDC, still experienced weak coverage. He also pointed out that other tourist locations like Sipadan Island in Semporna faced challenges with limited power supply and, in some cases, no electricity, yet continued to attract many tourists. Ensuring reliable communication coverage in such destinations is a priority.
Fahmi mentioned that engagement sessions are being held to explore collaboration opportunities between key state-managed tourist sites in Sabah and the Communications Ministry. This effort aims to support the growth of the tourism industry through improved internet and communication access.