Nadi expected to boost digital literacy of rural communities

KUALA LUMPUR: The Digital Economy Centre (PEDi), which will be known as the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi), effective March 1, is able to improve the digital literacy of people in this country, especially in rural areas.

Chairperson of the Malaysian Youth Hostels Association (MYHA) Jempol branch in Negeri Sembilan, Nurulazma Shafiqah Khairul Azhar, said that the revamp of the PEDi function to Nadi can ensure that rural communities do not lag behind with the latest technological skills.

She said that Nadi’s role is crucial in advancing the thinking of villagers, especially regarding the understanding of the digital world, such as artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which can be used by the rural population, especially the younger generation.

“Explaining about AI needs to be carried out seriously, such as by increasing the number of programmes at Nadi; the public generally knows about AI but does not know how it is implemented, and its functions which can be used in daily affairs,” she told Bernama.

One of the PEDi users in Jempol, Nor Lela Zainol, 49, described the centre as a facilitator in making it easier for rural entrepreneurs to find information to develop their businesses, and students can also take advantage of the digital centre’s facilities for educational reference materials.

She also expressed her confidence that the improvements at the centre will increase the participation of rural residents, especially entrepreneurs, who can increase their knowledge of technology and utilise it to become more competitive and thus generate more income.

Earlier Monday, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil announced the rebranding of PEDi, which will be known as Nadi effective March 1.

Fahmi said that in line with the new name, the role of all 911 Nadi nationwide, including the additional 186 centres which will be established throughout the year, will be expanded.

In Penang, Balik Pulau PEDi manager, Nor Hazwani Salleh, said that the centre has prepared to increase the diversity of its functions, including giving exposure to the community about AI.

“We have been informed that PEDi will be renamed as Nadi, with several improvements, and we have prepared to provide the best service to the community and not just channel information from the government.

Penangite Ruzita Siraj, 40, said that she prefers to come to PEDi to do governmentrelated registration, such as the Central Database Hub (PADU) system, due to the fast internet facilities, and it only takes 10 minutes to complete the task.

Meanwhile, Noor Majidah Yusof, 40, from Marang, Terengganu, an owner of a bakery, said that PEDi helped her develop her business, and it also helped teenagers in the surrounding area to access the internet for school assignments.

In Kedah, Habsah Ahmad, 60, who is one of the Gunung Hilir PEDi users, said that the centre also helps seniors learn how to use the internet.