IN all fairness, the National Security Council (MKN) has to be savvier with regard to the content of its short message service (SMS) texts that are intended to educate the public on the containment of COVID-19, especially with the emergence of new – and deadlier – variants.
Segambut MP Hannah Yeoh has raised a valid point in that if the quality of the SMS content is not properly guarded, then the whole exercise is as good as spamming or sending of unsolicited/unwanted text messages.
Since February 2020 till end-August, MKN has sent out as many as 12.7 billion SMS texts to approximately 38.6 million telco customers, according to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Abd Latiff Ahmad.
In a response to a question raise by Yeoh in the Parliament, Abd Latiff said between Feb 26, 2020 and Aug 27, 335 SMS content have been blasted to the recipients at zero charge rate by the 13 participating telcos which undertake the task as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) exercise.
Netizen Angie Chang opined that it is not right to spam just because the whole exercise entails zero cost on the part of the Government.
“Frankly, every message from MKN is second-hand or recycle info,” she opined.
“I don’t know who is making the money but please add up the people cost in every chain of the communication in producing these ‘zero value’ info and the charge out to how many parties involved and the end results is the tax payer’s money.”
Denis Shen Menace feels that the relevant authorities should ensure that the chosen content can provide value add to the lives of Malaysians who are going through a rough patch currently.
“Which Minister feels that the SMS is useful? If the expenditure of the SMS is measured by its effectiveness, wouldn’t it be better if the allocation is channeled to develop online learning infrastructure for pupils from poor background?”
Meanwhile, Mohan Dallumal was cynical with his view that the SMS content provides “long answer but did not answer the question” with Angie Chang agreed, “Exactly. Expected you to read between the lines. Politician at their best!” – Oct 8, 2021
