Govt maintaining broadband connectivity to encourage youth participation, says Annuar Musa

KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama): The government is maintaining the country's broadband connectivity to ensure 100% penetration, says Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

The Communications and Multimedia Minister said this was part of the government's efforts to encourage youth participation in the digital economy.

"A lot of places have low quality broadband facilities, so the government is focusing on the rollout of National Digital Network (Jendela) programmes to ensure 98% of populated areas receive 4G coverage and can migrate from 3G," he said.

"Also, there is the Point of Presence (PoP) method involving a fiberisation programme for 4,000 selected schools with an unstable internet connection,” added Annuar.

Speaking in the Dewan Negara on Thursday (Oct 7), Annuar said that there are also other programmes to expand e-commerce efforts to rural areas.

He gave the example of a campaign for small, medium and micro enterprises which benefited 204,262 participants.

Annuar added that the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) was tasked to promote mastery of financial technology payment system (FinTech), e-commerce and other applications through ongoing and structured programmes besides increasing the number of digital economic centres nationwide.

"These efforts will be intensified to ensure that our young generation masters these areas,” he said.

He was responding to a supplementary question from Senator N. Balasubramaniam who wanted to know if the government has any plan to impose a tax on those who conduct business online

Balasubramaniam had also asked about the government’s efforts in creating a broader economy by encouraging participation from the youths in e-commerce, virtually and digitally, through the utilisation of FinTech. - Bernama