CREATING A BETTER FUTURE: Tiong (second right) giving the 1Malaysia laptop to a representative while (from left) Sim, Radin and Ahli look on.
SIBU: A total of 23 secondary schools received free 1Malaysia laptops at SMK Sibu Jaya Multipurpose Hall yesterday.
Lanang MP Datuk Tiong Thai King presented the laptop to SMK Bukit Assek, SMK Bukit Lima, SMK Chung Hua, SMK Lanang, SMK Jalan Oya, SMK Sacred Heart, SMK Durin, SMK Sibu Jaya, SMK Batang Igan, SMK Bawang Assan, SMK Chung Cheng, SMK Kwong Hua Middle, SMK Bandar Sibu, SMK Kampung Nangka, SMK Rosli Dhoby, SMK Methodist, SMK St Elizabeth, SMK Tiong Hin, SMK Tung Hua, SMK Teknik Sibu, SMK Deshon, SMK Sungai Merah and SMK Agama Sibu.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tiong, who is also the SMC chairman said that the distribution of 1Malaysia laptops displayed the government’s effort to create a technology-savvy community.
He said the continuous effort was to encourage wider usage of network and ICT services including those in the rural areas.
“The fast developing world has required Malaysia to produce more skillful human resource.
“That is why, ICT is a very important mechanism for economic growth in this country,” he said.
He revealed that out of 60,000 units allocated for the state, Sibu received 6,300 units of the 1Malaysia laptops in the second phase.
He believed the effort would benefit the people of Sibu and would then fulfill the goal envisioned by the prime minister towards creating a high-income society.
In addition, Tiong urged parents and educators to support the government’s effort.
Also present at the function were representative from the Communication and Multimedia Commission of Malaysia (CMCM), Sarawak State Radin Blayong, Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee, Divisional deputy Education officer Ahli Chikba and SMK Sibu Jaya principal Mohamed Nor Junoh.