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Lim: WiFi fund not fully utilised. |
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Friday, 11 January 2008 |
MIRI, 11 Jan (The Star) -- The RM2.6bil fund to develop WiFi nationwide has not been fully used and Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik is not amused.
Describing it as a sad state of affairs, he said even Sarawak was way ahead of Putrajaya in terms of WiFi development.
“In fact, Sarawak is the number one state in the country in terms of developing the WiFi and broadband coverage.
“Even in Putrajaya, there are only a few hotspots here and there.
“In Sarawak, the government has turned the state into a hot state, not just hot spots,” he said after launching the Miri City WiFi Broadband Unlimited.
Dr Lim said the Government had prepared the RM2.6bil fund to help the country develop its communications connectivity via the USP (Universal Services Provision).
“This is an interest-free grant for the private and public sectors.
“Out of the fund, hardly RM150mil has been utilised,” he said.
He said the main reason for the lack of WiFi development was poor application, the wrong use of technology and the lack of transmitters.
“My visit here has really opened my eyes to the wireless systems being used. I am impressed,” Lim said.
On what the ministry intended to do to hasten the WiFi development, Dr Lim said efforts must be made to encourage people to try out the wireless technology, to make them aware of its tremendous benefits.
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, when launching the Miri WiFi Broadband Unlimited, said early preparations had been made for wireless facilities because the state was huge.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 15 January 2008 )
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