JENDELA briefing provides space for MPs to offer views

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 18 -- Members of Parliament (MPs) today were given a briefing and space to express their opinions on the National Digital Networking Plan (Jendela).

The nearly one-hour briefing was given by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman Dr Fahdlullah Suhaimi Abdul Malek, before the session opened for question and answer. Also present was Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah.

This is the first such briefing session on Jendela held involving all MPs.

During a question-and-answer session, Kimanis MP Datuk Mohamad Alamin voiced his hope that problems of basic internet access would be given priority rather than emphasising speed.

“In my constituency, which is not so far from Kota Kinabalu, only about 40 minutes, there are places where there is no telephone service. So I propose that, as part of the government’s plan to build 425 new substation towers, one of them will be built in my constituency,” he said.

Similarly, Pendang MP Awang Hashim admitted that his own constituency not only has internet access problems but also poor telephone signal coverage.

“In my own home, we only get one bar,” he said.

Responding to the issue, Fahdlullah said that the matters raised were included in the Jendela.

He said that apart from improving the speed of 4G internet access more widely, internet coverage would also be improved nationwide.

On Aug 29, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the Jendela initiative under the 12th Malaysia Plan, which is expected to cost RM21 billion.

-- BERNAMA