KUCHING: Poor internet coverage in Samarahan and Asajaya has drawn criticism from Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, describing the situation as unacceptable for areas located less than an hour from the state capital.
The Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development said internet connectivity in the Asajaya and Samarahan areas was severely disrupted over the past few days, including during the ministry’s BeliaGoBiz programme which relied heavily on online registrations and internet-based systems.
“What disappointed me was that from yesterday until today, we organised the BeliaGoBiz programme under the ministry involving many youths, but most of the activities required internet connectivity and it was almost completely unavailable,” he said.
He added that even his own phone could not function properly due to the poor network coverage.
Beyond affecting programmes, Abdul Karim said the disruption had also impacted petrol stations where motorists using the BUDI95 subsidy were unable to access subsidised fuel prices because transactions required internet access.
“If there is no internet, they cannot get the subsidy and they have to pay the highest price. Where exactly is the problem?” he told reporters at the Pandelela Rinong Aquatic Centre on Sunday (May 10) after the 61st MILO/PRAM MIAG Diving Championships 2026 closing ceremony.
He stressed that Samarahan and Asajaya were located less than an hour from Kuching and should not continue facing such frequent connectivity issues.
“There must be something wrong. Problems like this should not happen too often in areas so close to the city,” he said.
Abdul Karim also questioned whether service providers were placing greater focus on urban areas while neglecting rural and coastal communities.
He pointed out that remote highland areas such as Bario and Ba’kelalan were sometimes enjoying better connectivity through alternative systems, while villages nearer to Kuching continued to struggle.
“Are only selected areas being given good coverage while places like Asajaya and Samarahan are ignored?” he said.
Abdul Karim further called on the relevant ministries and telecommunications providers to look seriously into the matter and ensure better internet access for rural communities.
The Asajaya assemblyman said the connectivity problem was not new, especially in villages located away from the main roads and along the coastal belt.
“You just need to go into the villages. Many of them are not along the roadside because the settlements stretch towards the coast.
“In places like Asajaya Laut, Moyan Laut and Sebandi Matang, there is simply no proper coverage,” he said.
