'Doesn't make sense': Anwar's quick purchase of Starlink kits draws fire

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's decision to purchase 40 units of Starlink internet devices to be installed at universities nationwide has come under question, not only for the manner in which the order was made, but also over the competitiveness in both quality and price of the US satellite internet service provider compared to local internet services.

On social media, many took issue with whether the decision was made without proper procedures, including on whether the coverage offered by Starlink was worth its high price compared to the fibre broadband and mobile internet connection spread across the country.

They also asked why university campuses were given Starlink coverage when such institutions already have adequate internet connection.

"Starlink usage should be focused on connecting the unconnected. Not for the places with available infrastructure and access," said one post on Facebook by Arul Prakkash.

"Many Orang Asli villages, kampungs, rural areas, schools, Sabah and Sarawak need the access. So the minister and government should know better. They know this. But want to ride the Elon Musk and Tesla bandwagon. Populist approaches not based on data," he said, referring to the US billionaire whose virtual 25-minute meeting with Anwar earlier this year also drew publicity for the wrong reasons.

Read here: What was Elon Musk doing during 25-minute 'meeting' with Anwar?

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by Musk's SpaceX which provides satellite-based internet coverage to over 56 countries, with plans underway to expand this to mobile phone services.

An analysis published by local current affairs site Soya Cincau questioned the justification for the Starlink purchase when fixed fibre and mobile broadband services already offer reliable connection nationwide for lower prices.

"If you look at the monthly cost alone, Starlink is more expensive than current fibre broadband and wireless 5G plans in the market," it said, giving examples of various internet packages offered in Malaysia.

"Since satellite is a finite resource, Starlink also has a fair usage policy and the quality of service can be affected by adverse weather conditions."

It also said that National Digital Network launched in 2020 by then prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin to upgrade the country's digital infrastructure had borne fruit after two years, as more Malaysians had access to faster broadband.

By the end of last year, the plan had achieved its target of 4G coverage to 97% of the population, with more than 7.74 million premises having access to fibre broadband, up from just 4.96 million in September 2020.

Internet speed including for mobile internet meanwhile averaged 43.46Mbps, exceeding the original target of 35Mbps as 4G and 5G.

"Starlink’s satellite broadband service is great for areas that don’t have access to fibre or 4G/5G and you can get high-speed internet if you’re within the satellite’s coverage footprint. But you do have to pay more than other internet options," the report said.

Starlink subscription costs US$120 (about RM549) per month, in addition to its device which is priced at US$599 (about RM2,738). 

Citing an example, the report said Starlink services are priced at about RM226 a month in the Philippines, while the device costs about RM1,675.

But it said with download speeds of between 25Mbps and 100Mbps, it was still "a far cry from what you can get from 5G and fibre broadband in Malaysia". 

"If you look at the monthly cost alone, Starlink is more expensive than current fibre broadband and wireless 5G plans in the market.

"Obviously, fibre broadband is the way to go as it provides true unlimited internet with the best reliability at a much lower price. Mobile 4G and 5G is the next best option if you don’t have access to fibre."

This fuelled further debate on social media on whether it made sense for Anwar to make the "quick decision" to purchase 40 Starlink units, 10 of which are for UiTM campuses.

One post said these campuses were already using dedicated fibre for their internet needs. 

"Not even a normal broadband. Suddenly brings up something even lower tier than normal broadband. Somebody in MCMC probably need to educate our minister about technology," wrote Fendi Fauzi, referring to Malaysia's internet authority under the communications and digital ministry headed by Fahmi Fadzil.

"How unfortunate of Malaysia having a multimedia communication minister yang buta technology capability of what we already have," wrote Rafik Majid.

"So you're giving out slower internet with higher price? And specifically which campus? Give it to Sabah/Sarawak campus and we'll see if Elon's satellite will work well," said Shahira Khairi.

Other comments were one-liners taking jibes at Anwar's decision.

"Wastage. Check first, ask first feasible or not," said one. "BNPL - Buy Now Pikir Later," rejoined another, and another: "That is what we call impulse buying."

"Why buy previous gen Ford Bronco when you already have the latest Land Cruiser. Not so smart. Aren't you?" said yet another comment.

John Wong meanwhile questioned the silence of the universities which he said should have opposed the "wasteful behaviour".

"Not to mention it shows a poor understanding of technology. Especially the professors in these universities who don't protest this wasteful behaviour. This is a great example of a wasteful culture."

Shahid Bolsen, an American who frequently posts video commentaries on hot issues in different parts of the world, also criticised the Starlink purchase.

"It's actually not faster than the fixed broadband services that are provided by Malaysian internet companies. And it is obviously more expensive. Starlink is also notoriously less reliable."

He said the purchase didn't make much sense, adding that it showed "exactly the wrong direction" that Malaysia is going.

"You're paying more for slower, less reliable internet from a foreign company to replace faster, more reliable internet from domestic providers? Why? Because Elon Musk is a prestigious name?"

"When Starlink came to Nigeria, people were excited just like Anwar was excited. But the cost per month turned out to be prohibitively too high for people living in villages and outside areas. Why would you not prioritise your own companies?"