KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- The information technology boom has not rendered Pos Malaysia irrelevant.
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)'s Postal Affairs and Digital Signature chief Mohamad Zaidi Abdul Karim said the boom had in fact become the postal sector's 'best friend' in expanding its delivery volume.
"The number of deliveries particularly parcels has mounted with the surge in online trading or e-commerce.
"The number of parcels handled by Pos Malaysia nationwide is 30 million units annually and the percentage is a double digit increase yearly and expected to rise in the years to come," he said here Tuesday as a guest on Radio 24's 'Bicarawara Santai' programme.
Mohamad Zaidi said despite the introduction of sophisticated communication paraphernalia such as email and smartphone applications, the amount of letters handled by Pos Malaysia for instance, was still significant albeit a slight reduction yearly.
"There is a perception that people do not send letters anymore, but the fact is, many are receiving letters particularly from government agencies and banking institutions.
"From our record, the volume of letters in the country is about one billion every year, a figure that is still significant presently and in future," he said.
Nevertheless, he said the postal sector would not stand still but continue its endeavour to remain competitive and relevant.
He cited initiatives such as introduction of the 'jejak dan kesan' (trace and find) service, 'registered service', and more automated services at selected units and postal counters.
Meanwhile, he said the MCMC would handle consumer grouses through a postal forum which would not only offer assistance to the latter but also improve the postal service quality.
On World Postal Day celebrated annually on Oct 9, Mohamad Zaidi said it was to instil awareness in consumers on the role of the postal sector and its contributions to the social and economic development of the country.
"In Malaysia's context, the celebration tomorrow will carry the theme, 'The Post Delivering For People And Business Daily', to express appreciation to the postal institution and its workforce of 16,000 throughout the country including postmen and counter clerks," he said.