Better connectivity for all
IN anticipation of rapid digital transformation within a short span of time, the government has moved to strengthen telecommunications infrastructure and connectivity nationwide. As a result, within three months since the implementation of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) , 443, 161 premises were equipped with fixed-line broadband via fibre-optic connectivity, 126 per cent of the initial target of 352,101.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said 16,366 transmitting stations were also upgraded within the period to expand 4G coverage and increase the speed of mobile broadband in urban and suburban areas.
“This was 101 per cent of the initial target of 16,214,” he said when announcing the ministry’s one-year report card recently.
In line with better connectivity, Saifuddin said the Program Realisasi Impian Ekonomi Digital (Prime) was launched on Nov 27, to assist small-and medium-enterprises (SMEs) to increase their competitiveness in an increasingly challenging marketplace through digital economy-based programmes while raising public awareness of the importance of mastering digital skills.
“We had implemented the Program Perkhidmatan e-Dagang Setempat (PeDAS) at 37 Rural Internet Centres across the country.
“A total of 3,439 participants were trained and successfully marketed their products in the marketplace with RM2.5 million total revenue generated.”
As for the eRezeki programme, Saifuddin said 49,552 individuals were trained, a total of 359,281 digital workers were paid and they earned an additional income of RM560.75 million.
Some 10,001 participants were
trained under the Global Online Workforce (GLOW) Programme last year, with 1,577 digital workers paid and total additional income stood at RM1.7 million.
In assisting the creative industry, the government had rolled-out the Malaysian Creative Industry Stimulus Package (Prisma), with an allocation of RM89.2 million to implement 32 programmes under four main components namely heritage, arts, media, and creative content.
“Of the total, RM67.7 million was in the form of grants, while RM9 million was for loans and RM12.5 million for broadcast slots.
“As of March 15, 21 programmes were opened with total applications standing at 7,870. A total of 2,458 applications were approved, with an amount of RM2.8 million.”
While the country was busy addressing the Covid-19 pandemic, Saifuddin said close cooperation in digital aspiration with neighbouring countries in Asean also remained as one of the ministry’s priorities.
The Asean Digital Masterplan 2025 (ADM 2025) was introduced during the
first Asean Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN1) held in Kuala Lumpur on Jan 21 and 22, with the theme 'Asean — A Digitally Connected Community '.
The masterplan outlined eight Outcome Goals to make Asean a leading bloc of the digital community and its economy driven by secure and transformative digital services, technologies, and ecosystems.
The Putrajaya Declaration outlined the outcome of the discussions during the ADGMIN1 meeting and the commitment of Asean countries this year to strengthen cooperation towards information and communications technology development through the implementation of ADM2025.
Saifuddin said last year also saw the ministry, through RTM, becoming the official broadcaster of the Anugerah Nasyid Malaysia 2020 (ANAM 2020), which it organised together with Munsyid Malaysia.
Sharing his focus for this year, Saifuddin said for a start, the ministry has expedited the implementation of 5G, as it will drive the development of the country’s digital economy towards MyDigital aspiration by 2030.
The deployment of 5G will be spearheaded by a special purpose vehicle (SPV) owned by the government, under the purview of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
“The provision and management of 5G infrastructure by SPV involves an investment of RM15 billion over 10 years, and enables the fair distribution of 5G capacity to telecommunication companies.”
Saifuddin said in line with these efforts, the government is also committed to establishing a National Digital Experience Centre to increase public awareness on the use of 5G as well as assist in the transition and its innovation.
The ministry is also developing a music corporation, to ensure the growth of the industry and the welfare of its players are being protected.
He said the ministry hoped to intensify digital economy investment facilitation, by increasing foreign direct investment and domestic direct investment, along with employment.
“The MyDigital initiative has the potential to attract an estimated investment of RM70 billion with the creation of 10,000 new jobs.”
Saifuddin said the ministry also seeks to empower digital forensic services in dealing with advanced cyber threats and tackling cybercrime, along with introducing the National Digital Identity Policy to provide a comprehensive framework for reliable, secure, and transparent digital transactions and data movement.
This year, the ministry is also looking at organising the International Nasyid Festival and ANAM 2021 towards making Malaysia the 'Home of Contemporary Nasyid' on the world stage.
“We are also developing a Road To Oscars and Grammy Awards Blueprint, which is a comprehensive action plan for the production of Malaysian creative products to win certain categories at prestigious international film festivals.”
AYOUNG mother from Kuala Besut, Terengganu, is seeking donations to help her 7-month old daughter undergo an urgentlyneeded corrective heart surgery. Nurul Huda Akma Arifin, 27, said her baby, Nur Aafiyah Husna Muhamad Rozaidi suffered from ventricular septal defect (VSD), commonly known as a holein-the-heart.
This condition is a congenital heart defect, and Nur Aafiyah had been diagnosed with the condition since she was 2 months old. Nurul Huda Akma, a mother of three, said her baby’s condition appeared normal during pregnancy screenings.
“My baby was born at full term through normal birth. Her weight was 3.06kg.
“She was an active baby, just like my other kids. However, I began noticing something amiss when one day, she became breathless as I was breastfeeding her.
“She constantly paused from feeding. and appeared pale at times. She would sweat profusely compared to her siblings when they were babies. That was when I knew something was not right,” Nurul Huda Akma told the New Straits Times via Google Meet yesterday.
Together with her husband, Muhamad Rozaidi Ramli, 32, the couple took their daughter to the Sultanah Nur Zahirah Hospital in Kuala Terengganu and a doctor diagnosed her with the heart defect.
“The doctor told me that Nur Aafiyah’s heart was slightly swollen.”
The baby was treated and she seemed fine for some time.
However, Nur Aafiyah’s growth had been disrupted. Nurul Huda Akma said her baby did not gain weight and her current weight was 4.8kg only.
“She continued to sweat profusely and was breathless a lot of times. It was painful to watch. When she cries, she will become breathless. Her siblings also noticed that she becomes pale whenever she cries.”
A subsequent visit to the hospital led to Nur Aafiyah being referred to the Sunway Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, for consultation.
The doctors at Sunway Medical Centre told the couple that their daughter urgently needed corrective heart surgery as any delay would pose a challenge to her survival and growth.
She said the procedure costs about RM50,000. Overwhelmed with emotion, Nurul Huda Akma said she had accepted her baby’s condition.
“At first, me and my husband were puzzled as we never thought our daughter’s condition was that bad. How can we afford the surgery?
“I’m a housewife and my husband is a padi farmer. We earn a meagre income only. Some months, my husband earns up to RM1,000. Other months, he earns less.
“She is such a small baby. I cannot bear to see her in such pain just to breathe,” said Nurul Huda Akma, who broke down during the interview after describing her family’s struggles.
Those who wish to help may send cheques made payable to Media PrimaNew Straits Times Press (NSTP) Humanitarian Fund, with the patient's name written on the reverse side. Donations may be mailed to: Group Corporate Communications Department, Media Prima Bhd, Level 1, Anjung Riong, Balai Berita, 31, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur.
The public may also donate online to Maybank account number 5141-0532-3170, indicating Nur Aafiyah’s name on the recipient’s reference or other payment details field.