Hoist the modem! A plantation estate uses flagpoles to get online
University student Veveonah Mosibin’s predicament in trying to get an internet connection to sit for an online examination has shocked many Malaysians to the harsh reality faced by those in remote areas of Sabah and Sarawak.
However, there are also parts in Peninsular Malaysia that suffer from poor internet connectivity.
Take, for example, Bukit Selambau division of the UP Plantation in Kedah – an oil palm estate located about 20km from downtown Sungai Petani and has a population of about 170.
Local residents have to take matters in their own hands - set up wireless modems on top of flagpoles to ensure those living in its vicinity can get internet connection.
The improvised communications towers cost between RM100 to RM300 to instal, depending on its height.
“When we want to use the internet, we will attach the modem to a power bank and place it in a bucket. Then we raise the bucket together with the Jalur Gemilang.
“That is how we get online and connected with smartphone hotspots. That’s why I’ve said we’ve had to ‘fly’ the Jalur Gemilang daily to get internet access,” the resident V Barathidasa told Malaysiakini.
According to Barathidasa, 26, the tallest pole in the plantation estate is about 12m tall and is owned by his elder brother’s family.
“My brother is a businessperson. He needs the internet for his business dealings. So, he has set up a flagpole.
“In addition, his children are schooling and also use it to get on the internet,” he added.
“However, it can’t be used if it rains,” lamented Barathidasa, adding that his neighbours have also started using similar flagpoles about four years ago.
No phone reception
Barathidasa, who works as an administrative assistant at the Sungai Petani Municipal Council, said the estate dwellers are badly affected by the lack of communications infrastructure.
“I am from here. As far as I know, our estate had never had internet facilities since it was introduced in Malaysia.
“Moreover, our telecommunications facilities are quite poor. Step into the estate and the phone line disappears.
“Sometimes we have to rush to nearby areas just to make a phone call, never mind the internet,” he said.
While studying at Universiti Malaya (UM), Barathidasan said he often had to trek to a nearby housing area to use the internet.
“I studied at UM from 2014 to 2018. Each time if I have university matters to deal with when I went home, we and my Malay friends who also live on the plantation would have to go to the nearest housing area at Taman Kelisa Ria, about 5km from here.
“That was where we could get internet access. However, we were frustrated having to go to-and-fro each time and decided to erect flagpoles instead to get internet access,” he said.
No action taken by MCMC, telcos
Meanwhile, social welfare NGO Tamilar Kural Malaysia chairperson P David Marshel said he was shocked by the living conditions of the residents at the estate.
“We recently visited the estate and are moved by their innovative thinking. At the same time, we are saddened there are still such places that don’t have basic amenities such as telecommunications and so on,” he said.
“They have reported it to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and two telecommunications companies. However, there has been no action taken.”
Marshel said his organisation will bring the matter to Kedah MCMC’s attention.
“For now, we are not handing a memorandum because of the enhanced movement control order in Alor Setar. So, we will do it after the enhanced MCO is lifted,” he said.
Malaysiakini has contacted the MCMC for its comment on the residents’ complaints and is awaiting its response. - Mkini
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