MONITORING JENDELA'S NEXT PHASE MORE EFFECTIVELY IN 2021

Although Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah has confirmed that the implementation of the National Digital Infrastructure Plan (Jendela) has met the targets set for 2020, the implementation strategies and mechanisms for the next phase in 2021 and subsequent years must be continuously and adequately monitored since this is crucial for its sustainability and longevity.

- Farhan Kamarulzaman

This includes the issues relating to the challenges, performance and progress to ensure the primary goal of providing all Malaysians with quality access to digital connectivity nationwide is not disrupted or slowed down.

After all, the government is committed to intensifying and vigorously implementing Jendela in 2021 to further improve broadband coverage and usage throughout the country to facilitate the expected higher demand during the new normal and propel the emerging digital economy.

Despite the emergence of Covid-19 which could dampen investment efforts by the government due to critical priority considerations of public health and the economy, the government has pressed ahead with Jendela to further secure the realisation of digital transformation in the country.

This fantastic effort should not be interrupted under any circumstances, especially by the pandemic, as it will spur the country’s aim of elevating Malaysia to the next stage of national development. It also represents our nation’s significant initiative to close the digital gap between the urban and rural areas through better digital connectivity for the rakyat.

It is quite a relief that Jendela’s implementation has reached the goals set this year as we had been bombarded with news about the unsatisfactory Internet access in Malaysia. We can, therefore, assume that there might be something in the government’s sleeve that has effectively addressed the problem.

Notwithstanding, the government should be more specific on the achievements that have been met by 2020 so that the rakyat could observe the plan’s outcomes, especially for rural areas with poor Internet access.