In the current day and age, ultra-fast broadband connection has become a critical requirement in the fields of digital economy and socioeconomic services. High speed connection enables people to participate in e-commerce, stream videos for educational purposes, and carry out various daily tasks.
Without broadband, innovations such as artificial intelligence, Internet-of-Things, and Industry 4.0 will not be able to take off. Without affordable access and high quality internet services, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), and talented Malaysian entrepreneurs who are ambitious will be greatly handicapped when marketing their products to the world.
Eradicating Internet Poverty
Veveonah Mosibin from Pitas, Sabah had to climb up trees in the dead of night to get stable internet access for her school exams. Marina Jita, an Orang Asli mother from Bekok, Johor had to take her children on a 15 km motorcycle ride through a jungle and into the middle of a palm oil farm to get internet access for her children to take part in online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The urban-rural digital gap is very clear. In fact, even access to high quality internet services in most urban communities in Malaysia are inconsistent. Our primary commitment is to broaden high speed internet penetration to the entirety of Malaysia so that internet poverty can be eradicated. Universal coverage and quality of service must be prioritised above all others.
Growth of Data Centre Industry
The global data centre industry is now worth USD$100 billion. Malaysia is strategically located between the East and West, making it an attractive destination for international investors who wish to set up data centres. On top of creating job opportunities, the establishment of Malaysia as a regional hub for data centres will also have the added effect of encouraging better digital infrastructure to provide high quality internet services for all Malaysians.