KOTA BARU: The government has allocated RM200mil to set up 173 more Malaysian Family Digital Economy Centres (PEDi) in the country, says Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.
He said there are currently 911 such centres in operation nationwide, which provide Internet access as well as teach basic digital skills to the local community, especially in rural areas.
He said with the additional centres, it would realise the ministry's aim for every state constituency to have at least one community Internet centre.
Annuar said existing centres nationwide had recorded more than 1.2 million users, adding that the additional ones would further expand Internet access for the community.
"Apart from providing access to Internet facilities, there will also be devices for the people to take home... wireless network facilities will also be expanded," he said.
He told this to reporters after presenting appointment letters to the Pedi chairmen here on Saturday (Aug 13). Also present was the Kelantan Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) director Abd Mubin Mohd Zain.
According to Annuar, more than 900 people have been appointed as PEDi chairman in their respective areas.
"Among their tasks is to ensure that programmes are organised as well as enable MCMC and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) to jointly carry out programmes to encourage young entrepreneurs – especially those in the rural areas – to participate in the digital economy.
"We hope this initiative will open up more rooms for the young people to venture into business using the facilities available on e-commerce platform," he added. – Bernama
