MyTaman smartphone app for five areas in Penampang
PENAMPANG: Five residential areas here have been identified to take part in a pilot project of the MyTaman smartphone application, which is set up to improve security in their housing community.
The areas, which include Taman Penampang, Taman Suria and Regency Park, were chosen due to the concentration of residents, according to Barisan Nasional (BN) Penampang chairman, Datuk Donald Mojuntin.
“If it is well received, the government is willing to invest in the technology, which is an innovative way to provide heightened security to the public. As it is, we have received funding from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to carry out this pilot project.
“Security is the foremost concern of our citizens. The panic button on this app allows users to contact the police and fire department, as it will immediately relay users’ information and location in emergencies.
“That said, involvement of the security forces is very important. The only way this thing can be effective is through coordination and cooperation from everybody,” he said.
Donald added that community involvement is also vital as that of the relevant authorities, especially for housing areas with no security guard.
If the app takes off in Sabah, Penampang will be the first to utilise it and through the experience of applying it here, hopefully, other districts will be keen as well, said Donald.
Donald, who is United Pasok Momogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation (UPKO) secretary general, also said that a mass briefing for local residents will be held after Chinese New Year, to introduce the public to the app and its functions.
Once the relevant equipment is installed, Donald said, the app will be ready to use within two weeks.
During a briefing with security forces and local authorities yesterday, MyTaman app creator, Nik Mohd Nizam, said free WiFi facility will also be made available in the identified housing areas.
He explained that routers will be installed at selected premises in or near each residential area, with a radius coverage of about 200 metres.
“This is a feature we are only including for Penampang. MyTaman is widely used in over 50 housing areas in West Malaysia with over 20,000 downloads, but free WiFi facility is a feature unique to the identified areas here. This is because we want to introduce a technology that could change lives in Penampang, in addition to increasing security,” he said.
Nik also said that the police and fire department will be given complimentary smart phones to monitor app activity, as certain features can only be accessed by the authorities to aid investigation.
He further explained that the many features of the MyTaman app, including its community platform, facility booking and ebilling, are on the table and ready to use, while a GPS function is in development.
The app is free to download on the Apple app store and Google Play Store now, with a monthly subscription fee of RM1 per house.