THE Penang state government and the Malaysian Communications Multimedia Commission (MCMC) had a fruitful discussion on the newly introduced National Digital Infrastructure Plan (Jendela) in an online meeting today, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
Chow, who attended the virtual briefing by MCMC, said he hoped the initiatives, not just involving the two parties but also other stakeholders, could be rolled out as soon as possible.
“MCMC and the Penang government have been working very well since a decade ago. Time flies so fast and I believe with our continued collaboration, more work can be done in the next two to five years,” Chow told MCMC chief operating officer Datuk Mohd Ali Mohd Hanafiah and his team.
“I hope MCMC can use Penang as a platform to test out the various programmes.”
The Jendela programme, which was launched by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin on Aug 29, would lay the foundation for comprehensive and high-quality broadband coverage facilities as well as prepare the country for the transition towards 5G technology.
Among those who took part in the one-hour online meeting were state Transport and Infrastructure Committee chairman Zairil Khir Johari, head of the local government division in the Penang State Secretariat office Nur Aishah Md Norodin and MCMC Penang state office director Rizal Abd Malek.
Mohd Ali complimented the state government for being easy to approach and work with.
While the telecommunications development in the state is on track, he said there is still a lot of room for improvement for 4G to be maximised.
Zairil said one of the important things was to get the infrastructure in place and then it would be easy to implement the 5G.
Mohd Ali, who also took note of Nur Aishah’s comments on the need for connectivity improvement at places like the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Penang International Airport and the highway, said they would take follow-up actions.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian