KOTA KINABALU – The Communications and Multimedia Ministry gave its guarantee that top priority will be given to Sabah in the nation’s telecommunication development plans.
Its minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa said that, for now, over RM1 billion has been allocated to implement various telecommunication programmes either under the National Digital Network Plan or the Point of Presence Project as well as the provision of broadband services in rural areas in Sabah.
“As such, my ministry will ensure that programmes under it and its agencies, as well as companies including telcos that are jointly involved, will give full attention (to telecommunication development).
“This is my assurance to the chief minister (Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor). We will work hard and give the highest priority to Sabah,” he said in his speech at the RIUH Bah! Bersama Hotlink programme at the Sabah International Convention Centre here tonight.
Also present were Hajiji, Deputy Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Joachim Gunsalam, Communications and Multimedia Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek, Maxis chief executive officer Gokhan Ogut, and Bernama acting chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin.
Meanwhile, Annuar said Sabah is extremely rich with creativity and the capability to showcase various works in the creative industry.
As such, the creative industry sector in Sabah also needs to be given attention as there is still a lot to be unearthed and highlighted that can make the country proud.
In fact, he said, the creative industry could be one of the biggest contributors to restoring the nation’s gross domestic product.
Annuar also said the opening of Indonesia’s capital Nusantara could also turn Borneo into a new creative industry growth centre that is extremely crucial and strategic in this region.
“So we must not wait and instead start planning to turn Sabah and Sarawak into new areas of growth that are crucial to our country,” he said, adding that the RIUH Bah! programme would be held in Melaka next.
The three-day RIUH Bah! Bersama Hotlink programme, organised by the ministry together with main strategic partner Maxis, began today. – Bernama, June 3, 2022
