PUTRAJAYA: The government has approved a policy allowing licensed telecommunications companies to install fibre optic networks along railway corridors nationwide, ending the previous monopoly held by FiberRail Sdn Bhd.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook announced that the Cabinet had greenlit the move via a memorandum he presented, enabling more industry players to support Malaysia’s digital infrastructure goals.
YTL Communications Sdn Bhd has been selected as the first company under this liberalised framework, following a request for proposal (RFP) by the Railway Assets Corporation (RAC) in 2023. The contract will see YTL develop high-speed fibre optic infrastructure across 1,600km of rail tracks from Padang Besar to Johor Bahru and Tumpat, Kelantan.
“This is not an exclusive right for any one party. It’s a strategic initiative to strengthen our digital infrastructure while unlocking new revenue for RAC,” said Loke at the RAC 2025 appreciation ceremony.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil also witnessed the signing of the Letter of Acceptance between the Ministry of Transport and YTL Communications.
According to RAC, the initiative supports the national digital transformation agenda, facilitates broader telco access through open RFPs, and reduces dependency on government development funds. The revenue from wayleave agreements will be reinvested into Malaysia’s rail industry — including maintenance and upgrades of railway stations and rolling stock.
