PARTI Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) has called on Malaysians, especially those living in rural and semi-rural areas to tap into business, social and personal growth opportunities following the recent launch of the MEASAT-3d satellite.
“As mentioned by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, the RM1.2 bil satellite – MEASAT’s eighth and the most advanced so far – can go a long way to bridge the digital divide in Malaysia,” said party information chief Zakaria Abdul Hamid.
By 2025, the satellite will be able to provide Internet coverage for all populated areas. It will also be able to improve the quality of broadband services to be as good as fibre optic networks.”
Zakaria said that once operational, telecommunication service providers could also utilise the satellite to offer data, voice and video services to 3%–5% of the population that is not yet covered by fibre or wireless broadband connections as offered by MEASAT through the CONNECTme NOW satellite broadband service.
“This means that it will no longer be an excuse for those currently living in areas with poor or no internet connectivity to tap into the wealth of opportunities presented by this infrastructure,” he remarked.
“Today, we live in a connected world. The COVID-19 pandemic has proven to us the immense potential internet connectivity has to offer.
“If Malaysians, especially the youth and those living in rural and semi-rural areas, do not take advantage of the connectivity infrastructure available, we will lose out in the global race.”
Among the areas that infrastructure like MEASAT-3d presents include market access, skills upgrading, knowledge resource and personal growth.
“For example, a handicraft maker who used to have limited market access now has the whole world as the market, minus the middleman. Similarly, planters can learn from the internet tips to boost their yield, while the young could pick up coding lessons off the internet,” Zakaria noted.
“In this respect, we applaud the Prime Minister not just for overseeing the launch of the satellite, but for his commitment towards bridging the digital divide across the country, including East Malaysia where some pockets of areas have poor connectivity.
“This is part of the National Digital Network (JENDELA) initiative to bring internet connectivity to every nook and corner of this country.” – June 24, 2022
