The Malaysian government is preparing to roll out advanced satellite internet technology that bypasses traditional tower infrastructure, with Sabah positioned as a key testing ground. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil announced that proof-of-concept trials for direct-to-device satellite connectivity will commence in Sabah under the second phase of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA), which aims to bridge the digital divide across Malaysia's most remote areas.
Direct-to-device satellite internet represents a transformative shift in connectivity delivery, enabling smartphones and mobile devices to receive internet signals directly from orbiting satellites without intermediary ground stations or cellular towers. The technology holds particular significance for Malaysia's eastern states, where mountainous terrain and dispersed settlements have historically made traditional telecommunications infrastructure prohibitively expensive to install and maintain. By delivering connectivity through this method, the government can address long-standing connectivity gaps in areas where conventional solutions have proven impractical.
The announcement came during Fahmi's courtesy visit to Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah Tun Musa Aman in Kota Kinabalu, where he outlined the ministry's broader digital infrastructure strategy. The JENDELA Phase II initiative encompasses identification of suitable test sites throughout Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia, each selected based on geographical and demographic considerations. Rather than pursuing a one-size-fits-all approach, the government has determined that different regions require tailored solutions reflecting their specific topographical and population challenges.
The second phase of JENDELA will activate more than 300 locations across the three regions, representing a significant expansion from earlier phases. Some designated areas will receive conventional tower installations, while others will benefit from satellite-based connectivity or alternative technologies that eliminate the need for physical tower construction. This diversified strategy acknowledges that building telecommunications towers in remote or densely forested areas often requires two years or longer and encounters substantial logistical, environmental, and financial obstacles that satellite alternatives can circumvent.
Complementing the satellite initiative is the MADANI Submarine Cable Connection (SALAM) project, which Fahmi characterised as fundamental to Sabah's digital economy development. The submarine cable programme will establish high-capacity undersea fibre connections linking multiple coastal locations, creating the backbone infrastructure necessary for sustained economic growth in digital sectors. The initiative connects three Sarawak ports—Sedili, Kuching and Miri—with three critical Sabah nodes at Tanjung Aru, Sandakan and Tawau, creating an integrated maritime digital corridor.
The SALAM project underwent significant redesign following initial planning phases. Earlier concepts envisioned a landing point exclusively at Tanjung Aru near Kota Kinabalu, but subsequent analysis determined that cables must traverse the entire Sabah coastline to reach Tawau, capturing additional population centres and economic zones along the route. This extended coverage substantially amplifies the project's regional economic potential, providing fibre-based internet speeds and stability that satellite solutions cannot match, thereby creating a complementary two-tier connectivity system serving different user requirements and geographical contexts.
Fahmi emphasised the ministry's commitment to implementing these digital infrastructure initiatives according to predetermined timelines and budgets, underscoring that physical deployment represents only one component of digital transformation. Equally critical is building public digital literacy and online safety awareness, particularly given the proliferation of sophisticated scams and cybercriminal activities targeting Malaysian internet users. The minister stressed that enhanced connectivity serves limited purpose if citizens lack the knowledge to navigate digital environments securely and responsibly.
Cybersecurity concerns are intensifying across Malaysia as internet penetration expands. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) detected over 2,000 fraudulent accounts nationwide within a five-to-six-week period preceding the minister's visit, representing a troubling acceleration in coordinated online criminal infrastructure. These compromised accounts facilitate diverse harmful activities including disinformation campaigns, distribution of illicit content, scam promotion, and illegal gambling operations. The geographic distribution of such activity remains uncertain, though Fahmi cautioned against assuming Sabah's distance from peninsular urban centres provides protection from these threats.
Recognising Sabah's particular vulnerability to emerging cyber-threats, Fahmi informed Tun Musa Aman that MCMC would intensify monitoring and enforcement operations targeting fraudulent accounts engaged in criminal activity. Enhanced digital connectivity, while economically beneficial, simultaneously expands attack surfaces for malicious actors operating from both within and outside Malaysia. The ministry's strategy therefore pairs infrastructure expansion with proactive cybercrime prevention, acknowledging that technological advancement must be accompanied by proportional security measures and public education initiatives.
The convergence of satellite technology deployment, submarine cable infrastructure, and cybersecurity enforcement reflects a holistic approach to digital transformation that extends beyond simple connectivity metrics. For Sabah specifically, the initiatives promise to reshape economic opportunities by enabling high-speed digital services comparable to more developed regions while maintaining awareness of the security responsibilities that accompany technological advancement. The success of JENDELA Phase II and SALAM initiatives will influence Malaysian digital policy approaches across subsequent years, potentially establishing templates for rural and maritime connectivity strategies throughout Southeast Asia.
