Sabah will become a testing ground for cutting-edge direct-to-device satellite internet technology, representing a significant stride in Malaysia's broader push to extend digital connectivity to underserved regions. Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil made the announcement during a courtesy visit to Kota Kinabalu, where he briefed Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Musa Aman on the rollout of this innovative connectivity approach. The initiative falls under JENDELA Phase II, the second phase of the National Digital Network Plan, which will progressively expand internet access across Malaysia's most challenging terrain.

The direct-to-device satellite internet model represents a departure from conventional infrastructure-heavy approaches. Rather than relying on ground-based telecommunications towers, this technology beams internet signals directly to mobile devices from orbiting satellites. For Sabah—a state where vast stretches of terrain make traditional tower installation economically unviable—this approach offers a pragmatic solution. The ministry will identify and conduct proof-of-concept trials at multiple suitable locations throughout the state, with additional testing to occur in Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia. Fahmi explained that this diversified testing strategy will provide comprehensive data on how the technology performs across different geographic and climatic conditions.

The rationale behind pursuing satellite connectivity reflects hard-learned lessons about the limitations of conventional infrastructure deployment. Installing telecommunications towers in remote areas typically requires at least two years to complete, involves substantial capital expenditure, and faces numerous logistical and environmental challenges. For sparsely populated regions, the return on investment often cannot justify such investment. By contrast, satellite technology sidesteps these constraints entirely. Once the orbital infrastructure is operational, coverage extends immediately to any location within the satellite's footprint, regardless of terrain or population density. This efficiency gain is particularly valuable in Sabah, where mountainous topography and dispersed settlements have historically hindered connectivity efforts.

JENDELA Phase II represents an ambitious scaling-up of Malaysia's digital infrastructure ambitions, targeting over 300 locations across Sabah, Sarawak, and Peninsular Malaysia. The programme strategically tailors its approach to local conditions: some locations will receive traditional tower installations where population density and terrain justify the investment, while others will rely on satellite internet or alternative technologies that eliminate the need for towers altogether. This mixed-technology strategy reflects a pragmatic recognition that no single solution suits all circumstances. Fahmi acknowledged that the revised approach represents a fundamental shift in how the ministry conceptualises rural connectivity, moving away from a one-size-fits-all tower-based model toward context-sensitive solutions.

Complementing the satellite internet initiative is the MADANI Submarine Cable Connection initiative, branded as SALAM. This large-scale infrastructure project promises to fundamentally reshape Sabah's digital economy by establishing submarine cable landing points at Tanjung Aru, Sandakan, and Tawau. The previous arrangement relied on a single landing point at Tanjung Aru near Kota Kinabalu, creating a bottleneck for data traffic entering and exiting the state. The expanded network will follow the coastline southward to Tawau, reducing latency and distributing bandwidth more equitably. Sarawak will benefit similarly, with new landing points at Sedili, Kuching, and Miri. For businesses and government agencies in Sabah, faster and more stable international bandwidth carries immediate economic implications—enabling cloud-based services, e-commerce platforms, and digital government applications to function reliably.

The submarine cable expansion directly addresses a long-standing competitive disadvantage facing East Malaysian enterprises. Businesses in Sabah currently navigate higher bandwidth costs and longer latency than their Peninsular counterparts, placing them at a disadvantage in the digital economy. The SALAM initiative will equalise these conditions, removing infrastructure-imposed barriers to digital entrepreneurship. Tourism operators, agricultural exporters, and financial services providers will benefit from improved connectivity. Educational institutions will gain access to international research networks and online learning platforms. The implications extend beyond the private sector: government service delivery, from land administration to healthcare consultation, will improve when digital infrastructure matches international standards.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the ministry is emphasising digital literacy as an essential parallel component. Fahmi underscored that merely providing internet access without public education invites security risks. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has documented concerning trends: over 2,000 counterfeit social media accounts were detected nationally within a five to six-week period, many used to disseminate false information, distribute explicit content, or promote scams and illegal gambling. While these figures are national aggregates, Fahmi noted that Sabah certainly experiences a proportionate share of such malicious activity. Without adequate public awareness, new connectivity risks enabling greater exposure to online fraud, identity theft, and exploitation.

The MCMC's intensified efforts to counter fake accounts and malicious online activity will require sustained coordination between government agencies, internet service providers, and community organisations. The challenge is particularly acute in Sabah, where internet penetration has historically lagged behind national averages, meaning newly connected populations may lack experience identifying online threats. Digital literacy initiatives must be culturally adapted and delivered in accessible formats—not just formal classroom instruction, but community workshops, radio programming, and integration into school curricula. Fahmi's commitment to this educational dimension suggests the ministry recognises that infrastructure alone is insufficient; populations must be equipped to navigate digital spaces safely and productively.

The convergence of JENDELA Phase II's direct-to-device satellite testing, SALAM's submarine cable expansion, and the MCMC's anti-fraud campaigns represents a holistic approach to digital transformation. Each element addresses a different dimension of the connectivity challenge: technology provision, quality assurance, and user protection. For Sabah specifically, these initiatives signal serious federal commitment to closing the digital divide that has historically separated East Malaysia from the developed west. The state's geography, which has long been an impediment to conventional development, becomes manageable through satellite technology. The economic potential unlocked by improved international bandwidth will benefit Sabah's most productive sectors and enable new digital enterprises to emerge.

Implementation timelines and cost controls remain critical to success. Fahmi committed that the ministry would ensure all initiatives proceed according to schedule and budget, implying that previous digital infrastructure projects may have experienced delays or cost overruns. In Malaysian governance, such commitments are meaningful only if accompanied by transparent project management and regular public reporting. Sabahans deserve clarity on deployment timelines, service reliability targets, and affordability frameworks. For the direct-to-device satellite trials, particular attention should focus on real-world signal strength, data speeds, and latency performance compared to projections. Early transparency about technical performance will build public confidence and inform decisions about broader rollout. Similarly, submarine cable quality and capacity planning must account for Sabah's projected growth in digital demand over the next decade, avoiding premature saturation of newly installed infrastructure.

The regional dimension of these initiatives deserves emphasis for Southeast Asian observers. Malaysia's efforts to extend satellite connectivity to remote regions parallel similar programmes throughout ASEAN. Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand face comparable challenges bridging digital divides in remote or island territories. The lessons Malaysia learns from JENDELA Phase II's direct-to-device satellite testing will have relevance across the region. Conversely, successful models developed in other ASEAN nations can inform Malaysian strategy. Singapore's focus on 5G network density and Thailand's digital government initiatives provide complementary approaches. As ASEAN member states collectively pursue digital economy integration under the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework, Malaysia's commitment to inclusive connectivity strengthens the entire region's competitive position in global digital markets. Sabah's transformation from connectivity laggard to satellite-enabled region would exemplify how strategic infrastructure investment can overcome geographic constraints, creating a template applicable throughout Southeast Asia.