By Noreen Sabrina

Let’s be honest – most of us take connectivity for granted. A dropped WhatsApp call or a laggy TikTok video is a minor inconvenience, not a crisis. But travel a few hours outside the Klang Valley, and you’ll find students walking kilometres for signals to submit homework, home-based entrepreneurs unable to access digital marketplaces, and entire villages still left behind in our so-called “digital decade” – all because they’re on the wrong side of the digital divide.

It's 2025. Yet, for millions of Malaysians, reliable internet is still a luxury. This needs to change.

Connectivity is Not Just Convenience – It’s a Lifeline

Today, connectivity is the new oxygen. It powers learning, livelihoods, healthcare, safety, and dignity. Without it, rural communities are locked out of opportunities the rest of the country enjoys.

When we speak of digital Malaysia, it can’t just mean skyscrapers and smart cities. Digital inclusion must mean every kampung, every longhouse, every fishing jetty. Not for charity – but for national progress.

Just a week ago, during Hari Raya, the contrast was clear. In the cities, families livestreamed Takbir Raya, FaceTimed relatives overseas, and shared festive joy on Instagram and TikTok in real time. But in more remote areas, some people had to stand outside under the scorching sun, hunting for signal bars just to send a simple “Selamat Hari Raya” message.

My cousin who lives in Ulu Cheka, Pahang, couldn’t join our family’s virtual Raya gathering because the video call kept freezing. His disappointment lingered – and it struck me deeply. In a season that’s all about connection, being digitally disconnected cuts even deeper.

We Celebrate 5G Progress – But Who’s Left Behind?

Yes, we’ve made undeniable progress. Malaysia proudly achieved 80.2 per cent 5G coverage in populated areas as of end 2024 – an impressive feat that puts us ahead of many regional peers.

But let’s be honest: this achievement is mostly concentrated in urban and high-density areas. The very communities that need connectivity the most – rural schools, remote clinics, and smallholders – are still waiting for the basics. In some of these places, even basic 4G remains patchy.

So, while we pat ourselves on the back for coverage milestones, let’s not forget who’s still being left out of the story.

The Truth: Connectivity is Not Just Telco Infrastructure. It’s Policy Infrastructure.

It’s convenient to blame telcos for poor rural coverage. Here’s the uncomfortable truth: it’s not a lack of technology or investment holding us back. It’s bureaucracy – in our policies, our regulatory frameworks, and our approval ecosystem – especially at the local council level.

Infrastructure rollout is often delayed by inconsistent and complicated approval processes. Different councils impose different requirements. Some demand 12 different clearances. Others take months just to respond. In some cases, overlapping jurisdiction between state and federal bodies slows things down even further. What should take weeks drags into months, sometimes years.

In many cases, tower construction is ready to go. The telcos are ready. The funding is ready. But the paperwork? Not so much.

If we’re serious about bridging the digital divide, then we need to say it plainly: local councils cannot continue being the showstoppers.

Local Councils Hold the Key

Local councils are critical gatekeepers in the infrastructure rollout process. Yet too often, they’re left out of national digital plans or treated as bottlenecks instead of partners.

They play a crucial role in digital infrastructure, but they need clearer mandates, better tools, and stronger alignment with national digital priorities. SOPs must be streamlined. Guidelines must be consistent across districts and states. Most of all, approval must move at the speed of ambition, not bureaucracy.

We’ve done it before – with industrial development and housing. It’s time we treat connectivity with the same urgency.

This Is a National Mission – Not a Telco Problem

This isn’t just a “telco issue”. It’s a national issue. And solving it requires alignment between federal agencies, regulators, private sector players – and yes, local councils too.

Local authorities must be empowered to act as enablers, not obstacles. We need consistent SOPs, faster timelines, and a mindset shift that treats digital infrastructure like any other critical utility – water, electricity, roads. Would we accept no water in KL for six months due to paperwork? Then why are we okay with delayed connectivity in rural Malaysia for the same reason?

Let’s set performance KPIs for councils tied to the digital infrastructure rollout. Let’s cut the red tape and replace it with real-time collaboration. If we can fast-track EV and solar approvals, why not basic internet infrastructure for rural communities?

Because let’s be honest, “basic coverage” is not good enough. Would we accept buffering YouTube or zero bars in Mont Kiara? Then why should Bario, Ulu Tembeling or Tumpat settle for less?

Turning Talking Points into Turning Points

We cannot afford for rural connectivity to remain a talking point. It must be a turning point.

As we reflect on the spirit of Raya – of togetherness, inclusion and compassion – let’s remember that true connection isn’t just physical - it’s digital, too. No Malaysian should be left digitally isolated.

Connectivity is the new oxygen. Let’s ensure every Malaysian can breathe it – equally.

-- BERNAMA

Noreen Sabrina is the Director of Corporate Affairs at EDOTCO Group, where she champions communications, regulatory affairs, and stakeholder engagement – aligning business with national development priorities.