GUA MUSANG, Jan 30 -- More than 300 Orang Asli residents in Kampung Aring 5 here, breathed a sigh of relief to learn that the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will be building a new telecommunications tower to solve the problem of Internet access in the village and its surroundings.

Raina Anjang, the penghulu of Kampung Aring 5, said the construction of the tower was much welcomed as it would make it easier for their children to follow the teaching and learning at home method.

"We have been facing telecommunications issues for a long time because the network signal that has been provided so far is very weak, and it is difficult to get Internet access," he said when met at Kampung Aring 5, here, today.

A resident of the same village, Zul Hek, 41, said the construction of the tower could also help turn the fortunes of the people who have been living in poverty for a long time.

"We are grateful because we never thought there will be a new telecommunications tower built in this village. Fortunately, we are getting the attention of the MCMC," he said.

Yesterday, it was reported that MCMC had taken a proactive approach to tackle Internet access problems nationwide, following concerns raised over the issue which were covered extensively by the mass media.

The new tower to be built in Kampung Aring 5 is under the National Digital Network project.