SIBU: The federal government is working closely with the state government in speeding up internet accessibility in the state.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah, who stated this, said the federal government understands the importance of access to the internet, thus would improve the service from time to time.
According to him, in August, the Prime Minister had announced a new national digital network called Jalinan Digital Negara (Jendela) to provide internet services nationwide.
Through Jendela, he said the government would make sure that all populated areas have 4G coverage by end of 2021, and from 2022 onwards, the system would slowly transition into 5G.
He also said that the government is committed to providing internet facilities and gadgets to those who cannot afford them.
Tuai Rumah Akat (standing) performing the Miring ceremony. Saifuddin is at second right.
“Once we have access to the internet, in school they may need gadgets or instruments to be used to access the internet.
“The Education Ministry will work hard to solve this problem because there are students who are from the lower income group who cannot afford required devices to access the internet,” he said at the Merdeka@Komuniti programme at Rumah Akat Akong in Penasu yesterday.
Meanwhile, he also said that since he became the communication and multimedia minister, he had requested the state government to send one representative to become member of Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“They had sent their representative to us and Sarawak government also agreed that MCMC send a representative to Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA). I am confident that a closer rapport would be created between the federal and the state,” he pointed out.
On another matter, he said that all Malaysians, whether in Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak or Sabah, must learn to understand one another’s culture and tradition, adding that people from the Peninsular Malaysia had a lot to learn from the people of Sarawak and Sabah.
Later, Saifuddin approved an allocation of RM10,000 for Rumah Akat Akong in Penasu.
Also present were Ministry of Communications and Multimedia secretary-general Datuk Suriani Ahmad, deputy secretary-general Shakib Ahmad Shakir and Information Department deputy director Datuk Mohd Sukari Ab Hamid.