PUTRAJAYA MAY 5: The Jaringan Prihatin Programme to assist 8.4 million Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR) recipients’ access internet data services or purchase mobile devices was launched by the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin here today.
The RM3.5 billion programme complements the MyDigital initiative announced in February 2021 aimed at building digital talent and skills in line with efforts to achieve inclusivity based on the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 objectives.
The Ministry of Finance in its statement said, Jaringan Prihatin is a collaboration between the Ministry, Ministry of Communications and Multimedia and 12 telecommunication companies (telcos) in Malaysia namely Celcom, Digi, Maxis, Mcalls, redONE, speakOUT, Tune Talk, U Mobile, unifi Mobile, XOX MObile, YES and Yoodo.
“This programme was announced as part of the 2021Budget with an original allocation of RM1.5 billion. Taking into account the number of B40 families with children especially those still in school, RM500 million was added to this programme under the PEMERKASA package announced in March 2021making its value RM2.0 billion.
“In addition, telcos are also offering additional benefits worth RM1.5 billion bringing the total value to RM3.5 billion for BPR recipients,” the statement added.
The statement also stressed that the programme is in line with the Government’s Five Main Focus Areas in its effort to regenerate and boost the Malaysian economy post-COVID, part of which is to enhance the country’s competitiveness by reducing the digital divide.
“The five Key Focus Areas are, Controlling the spread of COVID-19 to enable the economy to reopen; Driving economic recovery to further safeguard the wellbeing of the people and the affected sectors; Strengthening national competitiveness; Ensuring an inclusive agenda; and Transforming the economy towards knowledge-based an innovation-driven activities,” said the statement.
Registration for Jaringan Prihatin opens from 5th May until 31st July 2021. Eligible recipients can register with the telco of their choice and join any of the plans recognised under the programme. For further information visit https://belanjawan2021.treasury.gov.my/manfaat/index.php/bm/jaringanprihatin -Malaysia World News
