The state of Kedah recently expressed its desire to have internet connectivity listed as a utility. If the service becomes listed as such, it could be treated as the third utility after water and electricity.
The Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said that his proposal for the change in the service’s status has already received approval from the Menteri Besar of Kedah Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, but a Planning Permission (KM) approval is still required before the matter can be pursued further.
While treated as a necessity and widely available in today’s time, there are still some areas in and around the country that still do not have the necessary infrastructure to provide fast internet connectivity to the masses. Getting the approval would not only make Kedah the first state to actually list the service as a utility but also the speed in which it can lay down the foundations required for it.
Having internet connectivity listed as a utility in Kedah would also help the state solve another prevalent issue: illegal telecommunication towers. If and when the approval comes to pass, Saifuddin believes that it would remove close to 75% of the issue.
(Source: Bernama // Image: DailyDot)
