Tok Mat: Introduce more competition for better, cheaper Internet connectivity

SEREMBAN: The government should allow more competition in the Internet services provider sector for cheaper and better connectivity for everyone, says Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan (pic).

The Umno number two said the government also needed to urgently look into increasing Internet access, particularly in unserved and under-served areas as well as provide free data for education, entrepreneurship and public services for certain segments of society.

"The government has to consider encouraging the establishment of Internet service providers focusing on innovation – especially in rural areas.

"A glimpse into our education system shows we have been unable to systematically and seamlessly jump into digital mode during this Covid-19 pandemic.

"Too much time has been wasted. Sending homework and assignments through WhatsApp and email is not online learning," he said in a statement on Thursday (April 16).

Mohamad said the high cost of Internet access has led to many parents using money meant to put food on the table to purchase Internet data instead.

He said as such, it was necessary for the Education Ministry to provide a clear vision on how the country's education system should be managed productively if the current situation were to continue.

"A holistic digital system has to be a national agenda that needs to be prioritised and implemented radically.

"The government also has to provide a single centralised and integrated digital platform in which contact with any ministry or government agency can be made online through a single portal, account, system and channel," he said.

Mohamad said this initiative could not be put on hold any longer as a digital platform would reduce bureaucracy, maximise transparency and increase efficiency.

The former Negri Sembilan mentri besar said these issues needed to be addressed urgently as the country would continue to be haunted by pandemics and pathogen outbreaks as well as the climate crisis.

"The greatest challenge we face today is how the government functions in times of crisis.

"This is important because the government is the only entity we can rely on to secure our livelihood and security in this extraordinary time," he said, adding that this was why the public delivery system must quickly shift towards a completely digital platform.

Mohamad said the Covid-19 pandemic was a lesson for all that any governmental system must be crisis-proof.