Communications and Digital Ministry to focus on internet coverage along road networks - Fahmi

BANTING - The Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD) will now focus on providing Internet coverage along roads that connect populated areas as well, says its minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said the ministry and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would look into the matter as Internet access was considered a basic facility that all citizens should enjoy, just like roads, electricity, water and drainage.

According to Fahmi, he identified the need for better connectivity along roads while traveling from the Rembau area to Felda Palong 11 in Jempol during his recent working visit to Negeri Sembilan.

"In Rembau and Felda Palong 11 the internet (access) is fantastic, but along the way, there is no Internet, so I see there is a need for the ministry and MCMC to look into some things (regarding Internet coverage on the road)," he said when speaking during the Selangor state-level ‘Kita Madani’ programme in Kampung Bukit Changgang, Banting, today.

Meanwhile, he said the penetration rate of fixed broadband services in Selangor was 61.6 per cent as of the first quarter of this year, while the total mobile broadband penetration rate was 126.1 per cent.

"This shows a positive development and the government is always committed to ensuring that Internet access in Selangor is at the best level," he said.

Meanwhile, KKD in a statement said that 168 Madani communities would be established in Selangor this year involving all 56 state constituencies.

According to the statement, the initiative aims to nurture the spirit of togetherness as well as promote the policies of the Unity Government and the Malaysia Madani concept to the community.

Fahmi was previously reported as saying that the Madani Community played a role in helping to channel accurate and authentic information, while also disseminating news of initiatives implemented by the government to the grassroots level.

The Madani Community is a multiracial volunteer body managed by the Malaysian Information Department, and so far, a total of 1,878 Madani communities have been established nationwide. - BERNAMA