SALAM submarine cable project to start by early 2027

KUCHING: The MADANI Submarine Cable (SALAM) project is expected to begin by year-end or early next year, with Bintulu prioritised as one of three landing points in Sarawak.

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said the project, aimed at strengthening digital connectivity, is expected to take approximately two to three years to complete.

He said Bintulu has been identified as a key location as the submarine cable infrastructure would support the development of Bintulu Port and its surrounding areas.

“For Sarawak, the submarine cable project will involve at least three landing points, and one of the most important is Bintulu.

“We are proposing Matu and Buntal. We will look at several locations, but the main priority for now is Bintulu,” he told reporters at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today (Oct 15).

Nationwide, the SALAM project will involve 10 landing points, comprising three in Sarawak, five in Sabah and the remaining two in Peninsular Malaysia.

Fahmi said the project would provide additional submarine cable connectivity to complement the existing Sistem Kabel Rakyat 1Malaysia (SKR1M).

He said Sabah would also benefit from a new coastal submarine cable connection stretching from Kota Kinabalu to Tawau, the first of its kind in the state.

Fahmi added that the federal government will work closely with Utility and Telecommunication Minister Datuk Seri Julaihi Narawi and his ministry to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure and support the state’s digital economy.