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ICT drives national growth, says Najib [New Straits Time (Malaysia)](New Straits Time (Malaysia) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) LANGKAWI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the government would continue to invest in information and communications technology (ICT) besides focusing on physical development, as it has proven to be a formidable contributor to the country's development process. High-speed broadband (HSBB) services, said Najib, had triggered transformation in the development process. Describing ICT as an engine of growth, helping accelerate Malaysia's development to achieve developed nation status, Najib said the government would strive to achieve its 75 per cent HSBB penetration target nationwide by next year. He said the government's initiative to improve HSBB penetration stood at 67.1 per cent this year, just 7.9 per cent shy of next year's target, compared with 31.7 per cent penetration in 2009. Najib said research published by the International Telecommunications Associations revealed that investment in ICT spurs productivity, which accelerates development. "It was established that wider HSBB penetration had triggered transformation by improving the people's capability and performance, easing transactions and networking. "Research has also suggested that every 10 per cent HSBB penetration will increase our efficiency by 3.6 per cent and contribute to Gross Domestic Product by up to 1.2 per cent. "In short, ICT is like an engine that moves a vehicle, so we have to continuously upgrade our ICT sector so that it will accelerate our engine (development) to reach our destination (developed nation status)," Najib said in his speech at the launch of the Langkawi Communications Empowerment Initiative and 1Malaysia Broadband Carnival at Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre here yesterday. Present were Kedah Science, Innovation and Communications Technology and High-Technology committee chairman Sabrina Mohd Noor, who represented Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir; Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah; Langkawi Development Authority (Lada) chief executive officer Tan Sri Khalid Ramli; Barisan Nasional Backbenchers Club (BNBBC) chairman Tan Sri Shahrir Abdul Samad; Mara chairman Tan Sri Anuar Musa; and Perbadanan PR1MA Malaysia (PR1MA) chairman Datuk Seri Jamaluddin Jarjis. Citing examples in Kedah, Najib said a youth in Sik recorded RM1 million in annual sales by taking his kapok pillow business online, while a couple in Langkawi was earning RM20,000 a month by promoting their homestay and tour services on the web. "These are among the true stories proving the importance of ICT and HSBB, which has helped build our people's capacity and have contributed toward seconomic growth." In his speech, Najib also announced a RM300 million strategic investment to boost HSBB services in Langkawi, which would help improve 3G service coverage on the island by 97 per cent next year. He said the initiative included the construction of three 1Malaysia Internet centres, 260 1Malaysia Wifi hotspots, 10 new telecommunication towers, two HSBB sub-stations, to be built in Kuah and Padang Mat sirat, as well as 100km of supplementary fibre-optic cable from Kuala Perlis to Langkawi. The three 1Malaysia Internet centres in Langkawi would be set up in Kampung Padang Wahid, Padang Lalang and Taman Delima. "Currently, only 70 per cent of Langkawi is covered by 2G services. This investment will help increase the 3G coverage in Langkawi by up to 97 per cent. "I hope this initiative will further boost Langkawi's tourist arrivals, as it will enable visitors to stay connected and conduct important online transactions and communications while enjoying their holiday on the island, in line with the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint 2011-2015." The Internet upgrading initiative is also regarded as part of the preparation for the 2015 Asean Summit, scheduled to be held here next July. (c) 2014 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |