MenKOMM calls on all strata of society to join Community Ambassador programme

SANDAKAN: The Communications and Multimedia Minister (MenKOMM) Tan Sri Annuar Musa today urged the people at all levels including the rural community to join the Community Ambassador programme.

He said the programme launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob yesterday is to ensure compliance with the standard operating procedure (SOP) among the people in the transition to endemic phase starting April 1.

He said the people's awareness to continue adhering to the stipulated SOP would enhance the efforts of the government toward ensuring the success of the phase.

"This is because when we open the country's borders, tourists would start moving in and out, traders would restart their businesses, football fields and all places of worship would be opened, as such it is not possible for the government to implement control measures with the regular institutions, such as health officers, police or Rela and so on.

"So, we hope there is an awareness among the people to have community ambassadors in their respective areas," he told reporters after attending the 'Program Santai (chill-out programme) YB MenKOMM at Taman Harmoni here today.

Annuar said the Information Department in all districts would be the coordinator and would expedite the appointment of community ambassadors, and members of the public can refer to the Information Office in their respective district to get more information on the programme.

He said for the first round, 20,000 community ambassadors would be appointed nationwide and the number could exceed 100,000 if there is a need and the ambassadors would be provided with an identification uniform as well as an appointment letter.

Meanwhile, he said at least one Malaysian Family Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) would be created in each state constituency and the elected representatives of larger constituencies can apply for additional PEDi in their areas.

"Presently, 173 state constituencies have yet to have PEDi, regardless of the area being an opposition seat or not as PEDi is set up for the people," said Annuar who also announced that PEDi would be opened in Elopura which is represented by the opposition.

In this regard, Annuar said the first phase of the National Digital Network (Jendela) development in Sabah is expected to be completed at a cost of RM2.13 billion.

He said the project involved the construction of a new tower and upgrading transmitting stations as well as linking houses and business premises with fiber optic cable as well as the development of satellite broadband in the interior.

"The project (Jendela) being implemented involves a cost of RM1.64 billion," he said.

Annuar also said his ministry and the Higher Education Ministry are expected to start the first of the three phases with the distribution of 350,000 devices to students of public and private institutions of higher learning at the end of May.

He said applications for devices are in progress to reduce the burden of parents to buy devices for the children for studies apart from facilitating students to pursue their studies.

-- BERNAMA