Kuamut assemblyman urges Sabah govt to expand Starlink coverage in rural villages
by Jenne Lajiun · Borneo Post OnlineKOTA KINABALU (Dec 15): Kuamut assemblyman Datuk Masiung Banah has urged the Sabah government to expand the implementation of Starlink internet services to more villages in rural parts of the state.
He said the use of Starlink to provide internet connectivity in remote villages was particularly beneficial to students.
“We ask the relevant minister to increase (the coverage) to more villages,” he said in the august House on Monday.
Masiung also said that he was aware that this was a temporary measure and that there was a Federal project called “Jendela” but joked that he wasn’t sure if the “Jendela” was open or shut.
On another issue, he also urged the Minister in charge of the Public Works Department (PWD) to address the road issues at his homeground.
“I ask the Minister to help address the road condition in Kuamut as all the people are (still) using boats to travel. There are no roads. The transportation cost is expensive. Just to get to towns, they must rent a boat which is around RM800 excluding petrol,” he said.
Masiung lamented that he has raised the same issues numerous times in the august House and have gotten only excuses.
“But we ask for support, we ask for votes (from the people),” he criticised.
“I believe there are plans, but we want them to be expedited. The roads to Kampung Inaraat and Kampung Kirungu, and also electricity supply to Kampung Masaung and surrounding areas. In Kampung Masaung, the electricity poles have been standing for 10 years, but electricity has yet to arrive,” he said.