Category: Technology

BATANG KALI, Dec 16 (Bernama) — The country’s four main telecommunication companies (telcos) have been instructed to go to the landslide location at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite here to monitor the issue of poor Internet access and find the best solution to overcome it.

 

According to a spokesman from the Information Department (JaPen), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and four telcos, namely Maxis, Digi, Celcom and UMobile had gone to survey the scene of the incident at 2 pm to install their respective satellite dishes.

 

“However, given the limited area, it was difficult for them to find a place to install the antenna,” he told Bernama, here, tonight.

 

 

 

Following discussions, he said only Maxis will install the satellite dish first before the JaPen Media Centre shares the Wi-Fi connection with all media practitioners who have been camping at the location since early this morning.

 

He said Telekom Malaysia was also in the process of installing a transmitter (antenna) to facilitate Wi-Fi connection but the stability of Internet access will depend on the distance it is installed from the location of the tragedy.

 

Dozens of media practitioners covering the landslide tragedy at the Father’s Organic Farm campsite are having difficulty getting Internet access to transmit reports on the latest developments about the incident.

 

 

 

This has forced some journalists to walk as far as one kilometre from the media centre provided by JaPen for Internet access to transmit their news items to their respective offices.

 

Apart from that, Bernama observed that a handful of media practitioners also had to hitch a ride on motorcycles and four-wheel drives of security personnel to get to higher grounds for better Internet access.

 

As of 8 pm today, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed that 21 bodies had been found, 12 victims are still missing and 61 others have been rescued.

 

The landslide incident at Father’s Organic Farm at 2.42 am involved a total of 94 individuals including the campsite workers.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 12 (Bernama) — Work to restore telecommunication services and internet reach at Nanga Ngungun in Kanowit, Sarawak which had been down since Dec 7 is expected to be completed noon tomorrow.

 

Communications and Digital Minister, Fahmi Fadzil in a Facebook post, said he received complaints about the problem and contacted the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for information and quick action.

 

“I have been made to understand on Dec 7 the genset serving the telecommunication tower at Bukit Merapi was down, believed to be due to a short circuit.

 

 

 

“The tower which is under the Universal Service Provision programme is under the maintenance of Celcom. A team from the company visited the site today and informed that spare parts will be arriving from Kuching tomorrow morning,” said Fahmi.

 

He added that MCMC has been asked to immediately update on developments once repair work was completed.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 (Bernama) — Freedom of the media is among the undertakings of the Unity Government in ensuring there is an effective check and balance process of the administration, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said.

 

He said the setting up of the Malaysian Media Council could be one of the means to achieve that goal.

 

“As the minister, I myself am open to this (establishment of Malaysian Media Council) but of course, it needs the approval of the Cabinet.

 

 

 

“Give it a little time, we will look into it…” he said after attending a briefing during his visit to the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) here today.

 

Communications and Digital Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek, and members of Bernama’s management, including its chairman, Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi and chief executive officer Roslan Ariffin were also present.

 

Also in attendance were Bernama deputy editor-in-chief (international news service) Jamaluddin Muhammad, who is also discharging the duties of the editor-in-chief, and its executive editor who is also discharging the duties of deputy editor-in-chief (news services), Harlina Samson.

 

 

 

Fahmi said so far the proposed establishment of the Media Council has yet to be discussed in the Cabinet, and promised updates if there is a decision reached.

 

On Dec 5, Fahmi said he needed more details from media industry players regarding the proposed establishment of the Media Council, especially journalists’ associations, besides giving an assurance that media freedom and the welfare of media practitioners in the country would be given priority.

 

The proposal for a Malaysian Media Council was mooted at the inaugural celebration of the National Journalists Day (Hawana) in 2018.

 

Meanwhile, Fahmi said he would get additional information on Budget 2023 for the Ministry of Communications and Digital which is expected to be tabled at the end of the first quarter of next year.

 

On his visit to Bernama, Fahmi said he will look into several issues, including those to be raised at next year’s Hawana celebrations.

 

During his visit, Fahmi was also taken on a tour of Bernama Media’s Digital Division and given a briefing on its operations.

 

“I am pleased with Bernama’s Media Digital Division which for me may be one of the concepts of the future, not only in digital terms but also on the battle between valid and false information,” he said.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 7 (Bernama) — The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (K-KOM) is now known as the Ministry of Communications and Digital, said its Minister, Fahmi Fadzil.

 

Fahmi told a media conference after attending the Cabinet meeting here that the name change had been confirmed by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

 

“I wish to officially state that the ministry’s name is the Ministry of Communications and Digital. This has been confirmed by the Chief Secretary this morning,” he said today.

 

 

 

Also present was the Ministry of Communications and Digital secretary-general, Datuk Seri Mohamad Mentek.

 

Asked if agencies previously placed under the K-KOM, such as those involving culture, would remain under the Ministry of Communications and Digital, he said agencies related to arts and culture would be placed under a different ministry.

 

“The Cabinet meeting today decided that the arts and culture aspect will not be under this ministry but perhaps for now I will let the relevant minister make the announcement,” he said.

 

 

 

On this morning’s Cabinet meeting, Fahmi said it was very positive and productive.

 

“Initially I expected that it may be a long meeting but it looks like the Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) wants us to work fast, we have a lot of jobs to cover.

 

“In fact, I think some of the key issues… have to do with the cost of living, relating to better governance and also reviewing the issue of leakages and savings aspect that can be carried out.

 

“The Prime Minister has already instructed all ministers I think (to take a) 20 per cent pay cut but, more than that, he wants us to focus immediately on the work that the ministry can do to make sure that we are serious about the cost of living, good governance, reducing leakages and saving the rakyat’s money… that must be our priority,” he said.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

 

PUTRAJAYA, Dec 5 (Bernama) — Digital Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil will meet with social media service providers to discuss issues related to the spread of fake news and aggressive content.

 

Beginning his first day officially at the Digital Communications Ministry here today, he said that the meeting would give him the opportunity to understand the regulatory framework of every social media provider.

 

He said the meeting would allow social media providers to be more conscious about the country’s laws and the need to preserve the harmony and unity of Malaysians.

 

 

 

“I hope they can help towards this effort,” he said during a media conference after attending a ministerial briefing conducted by ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek, with the attendance of ministry top management and department heads.

 

Fahmi, who was scheduled to meet a TikTok Malaysia representative at 3 pm said, “We started the with this meeting because the spread of videos on TikTok, especially about the May 13 incident, are very concerning. Insyallah, we will invite other social media service providers soon,”

 

On the ministerial briefing, Fahmi said the issue of fake news and the spread of aggressive content was the main topic of discussion stressed on 11 agencies and three departments under his ministry.

 

 

 

The issue of personal data protection to curb online scams and the ministry budget for 2023 were other topics that were discussed.

 

“On the budget, it was brought up during the briefing. I need to get details from the ministry as I need to understand more to get a clearer picture,” he said.

 

Regarding the establishment of a Malaysian Media Council, Fahmi said he needed more details on the matter from media industry players, especially journalist associations.

 

He also said guaranteeing media freedoms would be prioritised, including from the aspect of media practitioners’ welfare in the country.

 

The suggestion to establish a Malaysian Media Council was voiced by participants of Wacana Hari Wartawan Nasional (Hawana) in 2018 to represent the various media organisation in the country.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

KANGAR, Nov 25 (Bernama) — Perlis Menteri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli has announced the portfolios of all six members of the state executive council who were sworn in before Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Putra Jamalullail at Istana Arau today.

 

He said the number of exco members had been reduced to six from eight members during the previous government to further improve performance as well as to curtail the state government’s expenditure.

 

“Hopefully the exco members can be a great team to help me administer the new Perikatan Nasional government in the state,” Mohd Shukri said at a press conference at the Menteri Besar Office after the swearing-in ceremony.

 

 

 

Mohd Shukri said he would also helm the Administration and Finance; Investment and International Trade; Economic Planning and Industrial Development; Land Affairs and Natural Resources; Security and Public Order as well as Development of New Growth Centre portfolios.

 

Following is the full list of the state’s executive councillors and their respective portfolios:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry; Rural Development and Poverty Eradication; Plantation Industries and Commodities – Razali Saad (PAS)

 

2. Housing and Local Government; Hawkers and Small Business; Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism; Entrepreneurial Development and Small-Medium Industries – Fakhrul Anwar Ismail (PAS)

 

3. Utilities and Public Facilities; Transportation; Relations and Boundary Cooperation; Integrated Enforcement Coordination; Public Complaints-Izizan Ibrahim (Bersatu)

 

4. Islamic Affairs; Education; Youth and Sports; Human Resources; Information; Non-governmental Organisations – Muhammad Azmir Azizan (PAS)

 

5. Science, Technology, and Innovation; Information Technology and Communication; Environment, Biotechnology and Green Technology; Community Unity; Health – Megat Hashirat Hassan (BERSATU)

 

6. Women, Family and Community Development; Tourism – Wan Badariah Wan Saad (PAS)

 

In another development, Mohd Shukri said the state government will name a new State Legislative Assembly speaker soon.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

 

 

KOTA BHARU, Nov 7 (Bernama) — The construction of 177 Keluarga Malaysia (Malaysian Family) Digital Economy Centres (PEDi) has been approved and will be built as well as operatioinal next year, said Communications and Multimedia Minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa.

 

He said several companies have been shortlisted to tender for the project.

 

“I understand two or three companies are in the shortlist and it is up to the procurement committee of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to appoint one or two of these companies in question.

 

 

 

“It is expected that an allocation of about RM300 million would be required to construct and operate the new PEDI,” he told a press conference after attending the PEDi Community get-together at Kampung Kadok Dalam here today.

 

Meanwhile, Annuar said that phase one of the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) in the Kadok area has seen quite good results.

 

“A total of 529 premises have access to broadband services with 21 transmitter stations ready to be upgraded to 4G technology,” he aded.

 

 

Source: BERNAMA News Agency