Teo at the launch of the Komunikasi Setempat programme in Felda Bukit Batu, Kulai.
Communications and Digital Ministry will build 11 community Internet centres (Pedi) in Johor, which are expected to be completed and operating by the end of this year.
Deputy Communications and Digital Minister Teo Nie Ching said this was part of the ministry’s effort to empower people, especially with the rise in online scams.
She said based on a report by the police, the country had suffered RM850mil losses due to online scam activities last year.
“That is why the ministry is planning to conduct more outreach programmes to tell the public to be extra vigilant and to increase digital literacy.
“The most important step in prevention is education.
“If more people are aware of the risks when surfing the Internet and using social media, fewer people will fall victim to online scams,” she told reporters after launching the “Komunikasi Setempat” programme at Felda Bukit Batu in Kulai.
Teo, who is also Kulai MP, said there were 911 Pedi nationwide with 90 of them in Johor.
“Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in Budget 2023 announced that the government wanted to have at least one Pedi in each state constituency.
“To achieve this, we need an additional 186 Pedi this year, with 11 of them in Johor,” she said.
She added that the Pedi would be located in Tangkal, Bentayan, Simpang Jeram, Yong Peng, Parit Yaani, Senggarang, Mengkibol, Larkin, Stulang, Skudai and Senai.
Over 1.3 million people have used the services provided at Pedi and 735,277 have registered as members with a one-off payment of RM5.
“Each Pedi operating cost is limited to RM10,000 per month, and the public have access to 20 computers, basic computer skills as well as e-commerce and graphic design classes.
“Besides empowering people, we also aim to produce more online entrepreneurs, especially in rural areas,” said Teo.
She added that there are 26,448 active Pedi entrepreneurs in the country.
