New exco: My youth will be an advantage

(Above) A woman surfing the Internet. Hasnul hopes to improve broadband coverage throughout Perak especially in Gerik and Selama. (Right photo) Telecommunications towers erected on top of a building in Ipoh. – filepics

NEW Perak Communications, Multimedia, Non-Governmental Organisation and Cooperatives Development Committee Chairman Hasnul Zulkarnain Abd Munaim first got a taste of politics in 2008, when he helped raise funds for a poor family whose mother died

giving birth to a pair of twins.

The Kuala Kangsar native was also involved in publicising the plight of a family that had its electricity and water supply cut. With the help of social media, Hasnul Zulkarnain sought to raise money for the family.

“We managed to raise RM45,000. From that experience I learnt there are a lot of people that need help and that I could help them.

“I was with PAS before it split. I then joined Amanah in 2015, going on to become the Kuala Kangsar division chief,” he told StarMetro.

He is also the national Amanah treasurer, the state Amanah Youth chief and state Pakatan Harapan Youth chief.

Telecommunication towers erected on top of a building in Ipoh.

The Titi Serong assemblyman, 38, said he never thought he could win in the recent general election .

“When the party leadership instructed me to contest there, I went.

“I started my campaign about seven months before the general election and took the first two months to familiarise myself with the constituency and to understand the people there,” he said.

“By the fourth month, I felt that the people were quite receptive towards me.

“I think my victory was due to my youth and national issues like the Goods and Services Tax and the high cost of living,” he added.

Hasnul Zulkarnain defeated incumbent Abu Bakar Hussian of PAS and Barisan Nasional’s Norsalewati Mat Norwani with a slim 140 vote majority.

A file image of a padi field in Perak. Hasnul hopes to emulate Thailand’s use of technology to increase yields and raise the income of farmers in Titi Serong.

Hasnul Zulkarnain said he is thankful to the state Pakatan leadership for placing their faith and belief in him and three other state assemblymen who are below the age of 40 by naming them state executive councillors.

The engineering graduate from Politeknik Ungku Omar said he though he would be given the Youth and Sports portfolio, but nevertheless, will give his all in his new capacity.

“Over the past few weeks, I have been meeting with all the relevant agencies that come under my portfolio.

“One concern that I’ve noted is KPerak Inc, which I feel needs to be improved.

Hasnul got his start in politics by helping others. He hopes to continue serving people as an elected representative.

“There are some complications with the Malaysian Communications And Multimedia Commission that are affecting the preparation of infrastructure for broadband services in the state,” he said.

KPerak is the state agency that advises the state on the development of information and communications technology.

Hasnul Zulkarnain said his main focus will be multimedia and communications.

“Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo has stated his goal to improve broadband services in the country and my task will be to assist with the infrastructure in Perak.

“I also hope to work closely with the telecommunications service providers to provide Internet coverage to as many people possible in the state,” he said, adding that areas like Gerik and Selama still have little broadband coverage.

“Even certain areas of Ipoh that do not have Unifi coverage so the people are unhappy about it,” he added.

On public complaints regarding telecommunication towers in the state, Hasnul Zulkarnain said he has been briefed by the MCMC and assures the public that they do not face health risks from the towers.

“I understand that it is a common fear among people. They should know that the signals from the towers have no negative impact on them,” he said.

“I will need to get the Health Ministry and the local councils to organise more awareness programmes to debunk the misconceptions,” he added.

He also said that KPerak, MCMC and local councils in the state have to standardise their requirements to build such towers.

“I understand that there is a minimum buffer area between a tower and the nearest residential area.

“I also know that some companies managed to get licences from local councils to build the towers despite not meeting the criteria,” he said.

“We will look into all this to ensure the laws are adhered to. We will also monitor all the towers, including those that are illegal and take the necessary action,” he added.

Hasnul Zulkarnain said one of his missions is to see free Wi-Fi services offered via hotspots, in urban centres in the state.

“I will have a meeting to present the idea to the state government and plan to start by having a pilot project where the free Wi-Fi will be made available at all Sukma venues,” he said.

“I think this will be a huge challenge, given the amount of money needed to make it a reality,” he added.

On the non-governmental organisation segment of his responsibilities, Hasnul Zulkarnain said he has already met with some NGOs and is open to working together with them.

“I think they can be of great assistance to the state. We can definitely work together for the common good of the people of Perak,” he said.

Hasnul said he would like to see more security NGOs being set up in housing areas or villages.

“I also want to see NGOs involve all races as this will encourage better ties,” he said.

On cooperatives, Hasnul Zulkarnain said those that are well run bring benefits to their members.

“I would like to see more youths of all races getting involved in cooperatives.

“This is so that they can have more roles where they can help others in their community,” he said.

Beyond his state-wide responsibilities, Hasnul Zulkarnain said he hopes he can improve the lives of farmers and fishermen in his constituency of Titi Serong.

“There are issues pertaining to crop productivity and the size of catches in the area. I will try to help the people of the area overcome the hurdles they face in their livelihoods.

“I will probably seek the assistance of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub, who is also Amanah deputy president,” he said.

“Thailand is good at planting padi using technology and we could probably learn from them how to increase the production of rice,” he added.

Hasnul Zulkarnain said he will also be addressing issues pertaining to affordable homes.

“I’ve met with the State Secretary Incorporated on building more homes in the state.

“There are plenty of young peole who are still living with their parents because they cannot afford to own a home of their own,” he said.