Starlink: Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang community happy with modernisation

IPOH - The residents of Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang, in Ulu Kinta, near here, are glad that the federal government has not marginalised them with the installation of the Starlink satellite device in their village so that they are not left behind in progress and are on a par with urban dwellers.

Village head (Tok Batin) Che Wan Alang said that his village is the second Orang Asli village, after Kampung Orang Asli Hulu Kemensah in Selangor, to have the Starlink device installed.

"Hopefully, this internet service will help our residents not to fall behind in terms of progress, compared with residents in the city,” he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Previously, Kampung Orang Asli Hulu Kemensah was the first Orang Asli village selected for the Starlink installation, thus making it the second location after the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kuala Pilah branch, in Negeri Sembilan, last month.

Meanwhile, Che Wan said that he was informed that a Starlink set-up would be installed in the village's multipurpose hall, to make it easier for the villagers to get internet access.

Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Che Wan said that the villagers have long requested internet access.

"I am therefore grateful to the government for its efforts in bringing Starlink into our village,” he said

"The announcement has solved the issue of lack of internet access and makes it easier for rural folk like us to have internet connectivity, especially for the sake of our children’s education.

Che Wan added that the villagers have also requested the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to conduct additional studies to find long-term solutions, including the construction of a communication tower in Kampung Tonggang.

"As the Prime Minister said in his speech, it is a temporary solution to make it easier for residents. So, I hope that one day there will be a telco which will install a tower here," he said.

On Thursday, Anwar, during a working visit to the village, announced the installation of a Starlink device in Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang, which has 435 residents from 137 families.

The internet access service will be implemented through the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) project, as an effort to help people get good internet network facilities.

The Prime Minister announced that the government has also approved an allocation of RM400,000 to Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Seri Tanjong here, for the construction of new classrooms.

Apart from that, Anwar, who is also the Tambun Member of Parliament, also announced allocations for upgrading the road leading to the village, which requires immediate repairs to be undertaken through the Kinta District and Land Office. - BERNAMA