One for the album: Ismail Sabri (centre) posing with recipients of the computers donated by Theta Edge through their #thetaCares initiative in Bera, Pahang yesterday. — Bernama
BERA: The government has always prioritised digital development and remains committed to creating a technology-savvy society as the country embarks on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0) era, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said digital literacy today only represented a small part of knowledge compared with what’s to come, which will see the job market requiring highly skilled, creative and critical-thinking individuals.
Under IR4.0, daily human affairs will depend more on technology such as robotic automation, specifically designed to optimise human needs and comfort, he said.
“The use of this cutting-edge technology brings new challenges to all sectors in this country that require them to change along with the digital transformation to remain competitive,” he said at an event where computers donated by Theta Edge Bhd, through its #thetaCares initiative, was handed to recipients at the Bera District Council Convention Hall here yesterday.
Also present were Tabung Haji group managing director and chief executive Datuk Seri Amrin Awaluddin and Theta Edge group chief executive Nuraslina Zainal Abidin.
To ensure the success of digital literacy, Ismail Sabri said the government had introduced various initiatives and assistance including to the B40 group so that no party was left behind in the technological race.
He said the PerantiSiswa programme, for example, intended to provide high-quality tablets to about 400,000 eligible students, especially from the B40 group.
In addition, he said the government had also introduced various initiatives to bridge the digital divide among youths as well as between urban and rural communities.
Among initiatives for youths are the e-Pemula initiative of RM200 to two million youths and full-time students, RM100 to the M40 group and the implementation of Phase 2 of the Jalinan Digital Negara (Jendela) which will provide 100% Internet coverage in populated areas.
“The implementation of the Rural Internet Project by optimising the electrical cable network also provides high-speed broadband facilities to more than 60,000 rural residents while Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) will expand the 5G network throughout the country, allowing citizens to enjoy faster Internet speed and cheaper 5G Internet access,” he said, Bernama reported.
In Bera, as of the third quarter of this year, Ismail Sabri said 95.9% of populated areas have received 4G coverage, with broadband services provided by Maxis and Telekom Malaysia, in addition to six companies providing cellular services namely Celcom, Digi, Maxis, U Mobile and Unifi Mobile.
“Bera also gets myFreeview, which is Malaysia’s free digital television broadcast that offers popular television and radio channels,” he said.
Meanwhile, Theta Edge, a member of Lembaga Tabung Haji, said in a statement that a total of 150 computers were donated, among others, to parent-teacher associations, mosques and Tabika Kemas in Bera.
