Malaysia's push to expand digital infrastructure into its most remote regions is entering a new phase with the announcement that Sabah will serve as a testing ground for cutting-edge satellite internet technology. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil disclosed during a courtesy call on the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sabah, Tun Musa Aman, that several suitable locations across the state would be identified to conduct a proof of concept for direct-to-device satellite connectivity. This emerging technology promises to deliver internet service from satellites directly to mobile devices, bypassing the need for ground infrastructure entirely.
The initiative represents a significant departure from conventional broadband deployment strategies. Direct-to-device satellite internet eliminates the requirement for traditional telecommunications towers, which have historically been the primary method of extending connectivity to underserved populations. Such an approach carries particular relevance for Sabah and Sarawak, where challenging terrain, sparse settlement patterns, and geographical isolation have made tower installation prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. Fahmi acknowledged that conventional tower infrastructure alone would require at least two years to complete and would encounter numerous logistical and environmental challenges.
The testing programme falls under the broader framework of JENDELA Phase II, Malaysia's National Digital Network Plan, which encompasses over 300 locations across Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. Rather than adopting a one-size-fits-all approach, the strategy tailors deployment methods to local conditions. Some locations will receive traditional tower installations, while others will benefit from satellite-based solutions or alternative technologies that operate without requiring tower infrastructure. This flexible methodology reflects a pragmatic understanding that East Malaysia's unique topography and demographic distribution demand customised solutions rather than standardised rollouts.
Parallel to the satellite internet trials, the government is advancing the MADANI Submarine Cable Connection initiative, branded as SALAM. This large-scale infrastructure project aims to establish submarine cable infrastructure along the eastern coastlines of both Sabah and Sarawak. The network will connect Sedili and the Sarawakian cities of Kuching and Miri, while extending southward to Tanjung Aru, Sandakan, and Tawau in Sabah. Importantly, the revised design extends beyond Tanjung Aru near Kota Kinabalu, running the full length of the coastline to Tawau. This expansion represents a conscious effort to ensure that multiple population centres and economic zones benefit from enhanced international bandwidth capacity.
The submarine cable initiative carries substantial implications for Sabah's digital economy development. Enhanced international connectivity at multiple landing points will reduce reliance on domestic backbone capacity and provide competition in wholesale internet pricing. Faster and more stable international internet services will facilitate digital transformation across the state, from enabling cloud-based government services to supporting emerging technology sectors and e-commerce platforms. For a state that has historically suffered from connectivity bottlenecks, the combination of submarine cable landing points and satellite coverage offers genuine redundancy and resilience.
Fahmi emphasised that these infrastructure investments must be accompanied by rigorous implementation governance. The ministry has committed to ensuring all initiatives are delivered on schedule and within budget parameters. This emphasis on execution discipline reflects lessons learned from previous digital infrastructure projects across the region, where scope creep and cost overruns have undermined broader policy objectives. The commitment extends beyond mere infrastructure deployment to encompass digital literacy initiatives designed to equip citizens with knowledge needed to harness connectivity safely and productively.
Cybersecurity and online safety have emerged as companion concerns alongside physical infrastructure expansion. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission has detected over 2,000 fraudulent accounts nationwide during a five to six week period, many of which were weaponised to spread misinformation, distribute explicit content, coordinate scams, and promote illegal gambling operations. Fahmi acknowledged that Sabah is not immune from such threats and warned that the state likely hosts numerous fake accounts engaged in similar criminal activities. The expansion of internet connectivity, while economically beneficial, necessarily expands the attack surface for cybercriminals and information warfare actors.
The MCMC's response involves intensified monitoring and enforcement efforts specifically targeting fake accounts and online criminal infrastructure. This represents an acknowledgment that digital connectivity without corresponding regulatory and enforcement capacity creates negative externalities. As millions of new users come online through expanded satellite and submarine cable infrastructure, the risk of victimisation through online fraud, identity theft, and scams increases proportionally. Building digital infrastructure without simultaneously building institutional capacity to police online space and protect vulnerable populations would represent a incomplete policy approach.
For Malaysia more broadly, the Sabah trials and infrastructure expansion signal a shift in national digital strategy. Rather than focusing exclusively on urban and suburban markets where private investment delivers adequate returns, the government is employing public resources to address market failures in sparsely populated and geographically challenging regions. This represents a form of digital equity investment, recognising that unequal connectivity perpetuates broader economic disparities and limits national human capital development. The testing of novel technologies like direct-to-device satellite internet in Sabah positions Malaysia as a potential leader in implementing emerging connectivity solutions across Southeast Asia.
The timing of these announcements reflects recognition that digital infrastructure gaps have become an increasingly salient political and economic issue. Bumiputera-majority East Malaysia has historically lagged peninsular Malaysia in digital infrastructure development, contributing to economic growth disparities and limiting opportunities for young people in resource-rich states. The JENDELA Phase II expansion, coupled with submarine cable investments, represents a tangible government commitment to narrowing these gaps. Success in Sabah could inform deployment strategies across other underserved regions throughout Southeast Asia facing similar connectivity challenges.
Looking forward, the interaction between satellite technology deployment and submarine cable infrastructure will shape digital connectivity patterns across East Malaysia for decades. Satellite internet offers rapid deployment and coverage of dispersed populations but typically involves higher latency and may face weather-related service degradation. Submarine cables provide superior capacity and lower latency for institutional users and data-intensive applications but require coastal landing points. Integrating both technologies creates a complementary system where satellite coverage handles distributed populations while submarine cables serve population centres and regional hubs. This hybrid approach reflects mature infrastructure planning that acknowledges the distinct advantages and limitations of each technology.
The success of these initiatives will ultimately be measured not merely by infrastructure metrics such as coverage percentage or data throughput, but by demonstrable improvements in economic opportunity, educational access, and quality of life across Sabah's population. Digital connectivity without corresponding investments in digital skills, online safety, and productive applications remains an incomplete intervention. The government's stated commitment to digital literacy programmes and cybersecurity enforcement suggests awareness of these broader requirements. As implementation proceeds, the effectiveness of coordination between physical infrastructure deployment and complementary capacity-building programmes will determine whether these investments genuinely transform economic opportunities in East Malaysia.
