JENDELA targets 100% 4G coverage in populated areas, as well as fiberise nine million premises in stages with a speed of 100Mbps to provide better Internet service by 2025. JENDELA’s performance as of the first quarter of 2022 has achieved 95.7% 4G coverage, a total of 7.027 million premises passed and Internet speeds are at 40.13Mbps, surpassing JENDELA’s Phase 1 target of 35Mbps. To ensure that these initiatives can be implemented transparently, MCMC will conduct monitoring from time to time, conduct audits on telecommunications network services to assess its quality, and tightening regulation of the telecommunications and multimedia industry so that people can enjoy good quality of services.
PEDi provides digital facilities, enhances socio-economy
The digital economy is an important instrument for the nation to move towards recovery and foster future resilience of the Malaysian economy. In line with that, the government launched the Pusat Ekonomi Digital Keluarga Malaysia (PEDi) in November last year to be a one stop centre for rural and remote communities to empower their respective digital economic activities. In tandem with the government’s target to create “1 PEDi in every State Legislative Assembly”, about 910 PEDi are currently operating nationwide as at May 2022. By the end of 2022, a total of 173 new PEDi will be operating, bringing the total to 1,083 PEDi throughout the nation. The PEDi Advisory Panel, PEDi Digital Partners and Icon Entrepreneurs are important instruments in encouraging the local community to get involved in the activities organised as well as making full use of the services offered at PEDi. Each PEDi is equipped with broadband access and digital infrastructure facilities with trained staff to provide the services and support needed by the local community. The main focus of PEDi is to produce and empower small entrepreneurs towards innovative and competitive digitisation. This enables all residents regardless of social or geographical factors to be able to participate and take advantage of the digital economy.
These efforts involve the development of local community skills on Internet use as well as increasing e-commerce engagement which opens up opportunities for pioneering more entrepreneurial activities regardless of age. In addition, the government has planned to set up Mercu Ekonomi Digital Keluarga Malaysia (MEDi), a one-stop centre that will boost the empowerment of Keluarga Malaysia digital entrepreneurs by offering various digital technology facilities. To provide basic facilities to strengthen digitisation among Malaysians, MCMC has not forgotten the aspect of awareness on exposure to the Internet. This is done through various awareness programmes to encourage positive, productive, and ethical use of the Internet among the Malaysian community.
Based on the principles of Rukun Negara, the Klik Dengan Bijak (KDB) initiative trains users with the knowledge and skills of safe, vigilant, and responsible Internet use so that they become positive and ethical Internet users. The main message conveyed is self-control. Since its launch in 2012, KDB has reached more than seven million audience through the implementation of programmes on ground and online including activities on social media which gained nearly 90,000 followers. It is hoped that the various planned efforts would be utilised by every Malaysian, including the elderly. The government will continue to assist the people and strive to create a more inclusive digital society in embracing the rapidly evolving digital era.