Malaysians free to use 1Malaysia name, logo

JULAU (March 10, 2012): The government presently has no objections to the 1Malaysia name or its logo being used freely by all Malaysians who among others use it to name their entertainment outlets or motor vehicle repair workshops. Deputy Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Joseph Salang said this was as long as they do not ridicule or disrespect it. "The trend shows the people's acceptance, admiration and respect for it. "The 1Malaysia is a concept to unite all Malaysians and a symbol of the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak's people-oriented government," he told reporters when visiting the 20-door Rh. Kaing Usit in Merurun near here today. On another matter, Salang said the government was always open to any communications technology that could help to correct the digital divide between urban and rural areas in the country. He said this included the Nano GSM VSAT, which communications service provider Maxis had proposed. "Maxis claims this technology has been used since the last three years in isolated rural areas without any coverage in both Sabah and Sarawak. The satelite-based application which stresses on telephony services has been used in over 100 locations, especially in big plantations, sawmills and factories," he said. Salang said Maxis too had promised within two to three months that it would come up with 3G services through the technology. "If this can be done, it will be very good for those places still without any coverage. It will be easier than erecting the communication towers ,"he said. He however said it had yet to obtain the approval of either his ministry or the Malaysian Communication and MultiMedia Commission(MCMC). -- Bernama