by LYDIA NATHAN / pic by MUHD AMIN NAHARUL

THE Selangor state government will provide free Internet to 70,000 residents via its Data Internet Selangor initiative for a year, in an aim to close the digital gap and allow the economy to be strengthened progressively while ensuring no one is left behind within the state.

Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (picture) said the initiative will consist of a SIM pack with unlimited Internet for targeted groups including students, online businesses, e-hailing partners, youth, leaders of the Indian community, single mothers, indigenous people and religious leaders.

He said the Data Internet Selangor is one of the 25 initiatives announced under the Pakej Kita Selangor 2.0 to assist citizens during the ongoing Movement Control Order 3.0 and global Covid-19 pandemic.

“Pakej Kita Selangor 2.0 is worth RM551.56 million, while the Data Internet Selangor has been allocated RM17.5 million to cover the subsidy. Telecommunication companies will be actively involved in this initiative to create a more seamless process,” he said during the online Data Internet Selangor announcement yesterday.

According to Amirudin, identifying the groups of people in need will enable them to have digital communication access exclusively, while allowing daily activities that have transformed to the online sphere to become an easier process.

“We want to focus on lessening the burden of the residents in Selangor, we are aware that many have been severely impacted by the pandemic and have been forced to adapt to the new norm of living, mainly by using the Internet for daily routines.”

“Students can now attend online classes without disruptions because of the lack of Internet, while e-hailing partners like food delivery riders can all utilise this free data as well,” Amirudin said.

He added that registration for the initiative has been open since July 15, 2021, and will end on Sept 15, 2021, while SIM cards will be distributed on Oct 1, 2021.