CYBERJAYA: The Communications Ministry aims to train 7,000 rural entrepreneurs in 2025 through the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi), which is managed by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said that as of March 2025, a total of 4,000 entrepreneurs had received training – of whom more than 3,390 (approximately) 85%, were women, marking significant progress in empowering women within the sector.
He said the initiative seeks to empower more online entrepreneurs by equipping them with the skills needed to grow their businesses through e-commerce.
"This is a key initiative under Nadi designed to support local economic development and empower communities," he said.
Fahmi added that MCMC, through Nadi, continues to enhance digital literacy and support rural entrepreneurs.
"They have used fast Internet not only to improve their skills but also to access new markets.
"In some cases, I found they were producing products for international customers. Some even earn more than Members of Parliament," he said at an event held in conjunction with Girls in ICT Day (GICT) and the 160th anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) on Saturday (May 17).
He said that with better Internet connectivity, people no longer need to leave their hometowns for better opportunities.
Fahmi also outlined Malaysia's achievements under the National Digital Infrastructure Plan (Jendela), describing it as pivotal to the country's progress in digital connectivity.
"To date, over 9.03 million premises have access to high-speed internet and fibre connectivity – surpassing our original target of nine million by 2025.
"As a result, mobile broadband speeds have reached a median of 105.36 Mbps, while Internet coverage in populated areas rose to 98.66% in Q4 2024, steadily moving towards full coverage by 2025," he said.
He also said 5G coverage as of April 30, 2025 stands at 82.4% in populated areas, with a mobile penetration rate of 61%.
To mark ITU's 160th anniversary, a commemorative stamp was also unveiled.
Also present at the event were Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, MCMC executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din and Kishore Babu Yerraballa, ITU area representative for southeast asia and other member states in Asia and the Pacific.
