BANTING: Providing Internet coverage along roads connecting populated areas will be the focus of the Communications and Digital Ministry.Its minister Fahmi Fadzil said that both the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would look into the matter as Internet access was a basic facility that all citizens should enjoy, just like roads, electricity and water.
According to Fahmi, he had identified the need for better connectivity along roads while traveling from Rembau to Felda Palong 11 in Jempol during his recent working visit to Negri Sembilan.
“In Rembau and Felda Palong 11, the Internet (access) is fantastic but along the way, there is none. So, I see a need for the ministry and MCMC to look into some things,” he said in his speech during the Selangor state-level ‘Kita Madani’ programme in Kampung Bukit Changgang, Banting, yesterday.He said as of the first quarter of this year, the penetration rate of fixed broadband services in Selangor was at 61.6%, while the total mobile broadband penetration rate was 126.1%.
“This is a positive development and the government is always committed to ensuring that Internet access in Selangor is at the best level,” he said.
All about connectivity: Fahmi (in white shirt) looking on as young kids participate in a colouring competition during the ‘Kita Madani’ programme in Kampung Bukit Changgang. – CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
On another matter, he said that there was no truth to a claim on social media that the government had agreed for Employees Provident Fund (EPF) contributors who had reached the age of 55 to only withdraw their savings on a monthly basis.
Fahmi said he had verified the information with EPF chief executive officer Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah.
“He replied to me saying that the matter was still in the study stage and EPF had no intention of applying the policy to existing contributors at present,” he said.
An earlier statement issued by EPF said the proposal to formalise a monthly drawdown mechanism for members was still being studied. It said it would also consider the ability and readiness of members to make such a transition.
