The Malaysian government will soon introduce amendments to the telecommunications law to enable the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to direct the development of telecommunications infrastructure to be developed in rural areas for the purpose of improving national security.
This amendment is an extension of the Universal Service Provision plan under the Multimedia Act 1998 and was tabled by Communications Minister Dato’ Seri Fahmi Fadzil in the Dewan Rakyat for the first time.
He said that this additional category is to create a more comprehensive framework for the provision of universal services, taking into account the evolution of the communications and multimedia industry, technological advancements and the country's needs in terms of security.
If this new presentation is approved, the Minister of Communications can soon instruct MCMC to develop new mobile internet network infrastructure and introduce internet network services in rural areas for the purpose of further improving national security.
In the meantime, he also said that the decision to use national security reasons will be determined by the National Security Council. The presentation of this amendment will be made during the second Parliament meeting which is ongoing until this Thursday.
