MACHANG – The government will ensure that its plan to make internet access available nationwide, especially in the rural areas is achieved, so that all levels of society will be able to enjoy better communication networks, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economic Affairs) Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed.
He said this would include the transformation of 873 Community Internet Centres (PIK) nationwide as educational centres to facilitate home-based learning and teaching (PdPR).
“The PIK transformation is also to turn them into entrepreneurial trade centres like in Kelantan, where 70 PIKs have been selected for the project, which began this year,” he said after inspecting the communication tower project in Kg Kubang Tebik here today.
In addition, Mustapa said the government has also allocated more than RM700 million to improve digital infrastructure involving internet access in Kelantan for 2020-2022.
He said the allocation is for the upgrading of 1,232 communication towers, the construction of 85 new towers and extension of the high-speed fibre optic network to 54,904 premises.
“When all these projects are completed, 4G network coverage will reach 96.3% in 2022. To date, there are 1,245 cell towers throughout Kelantan, of which 93.15% are for 4G services, 95.98% (3G) and 97.14% (2G),” he said.
Mustapa said 18 new communication towers were erected in April and May this year, one each in Jeli, Tanah Merah and Pasir Puteh; two each in Gua Musang and Bachok; four in Machang; and, seven in Pasir Mas.
“All these towers are in rural areas, in line with the policy to bridge the digital divide between cities and villages,” he said.
On his visit here, Mustapa said the communication tower in Kg Kubang Tebik, which comes under the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela), will benefit more than 600 residents.
“Alhamdulillah, what has been planned in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya is becoming a reality. What is important is to ensure that every government plan will be implemented in villages such as Kg Kubang Tebik and other rural areas, including Orang Asli settlements,” he said. – Bernama, June 26, 2021
