KOTA KINABALU: The Communications Ministry will carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the system and process for the implementation of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) Phase 2 to ensure that its implementation is more effective, said Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He emphasized that the revamped JENDELA plan must be more accurate and viable and should not rely solely on desktop assessment.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Fahmi mentioned that contractors who failed in the implementation of JENDELA Phase 1 would be examined for their involvement in JENDELA Phase 2, which is expected to involve between 2,500 and 3,000 telecommunications infrastructure sites nationwide. The announcement of Phase 2 is anticipated in 2025, contingent on the completion of a thorough inspection by the MCMC (Communications and Multimedia Commission). Fahmi noted that the reshuffling process is currently underway as they are beginning to address many of the issues that have surfaced.
Earlier, Fahmi and Sabah Chief Minister Datuk
Seri Hajiji Noor attended a signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding between Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK) and MCMC for the implementation of Smart City. Fahmi commented on the implementation of JENDELA Phase 1, stating that some sites selected for telecommunications infrastructure were found unsuitable to meet the requirements. He acknowledged that these sites were chosen before his tenure as Communications Minister and expressed commitment to managing the situation in an orderly manner.
In response to Hajiji’s statement yesterday regarding the unsatisfactory performance of the JENDELA Phase 1 contractor in Sabah, Fahmi expressed strong agreement with the Chief Minister. He described it as a legacy issue that has persisted over recent years. Despite improvements seen over the past two years under his leadership, Fahmi acknowledged that there is still significant work to be done in Sabah. Hajiji had reported that only 217 out of 382 telecommunication towers, or 57 percent, under JENDELA Phase 1 ha
d been completed in Sabah.