KUCHING: Batu Kitang assemblyman Lo Khere Chiang welcomes the decision of telecommunication companies to provide free internet dongles and free internet access via SIM cards for disadvantaged students.
“I would be happy to hear from the donors if they think they can be of help to the students in our community,” he said, noting that the Covid-19 pandemic had posed many challenges, not least the closure of schools causing students to adapt to online learning.
He said based on feedback from people who had been in contact with them, he was fully aware that there were disadvantaged students who do not had access to computers or internet access at home.
“We are exploring avenues of donations of computers or tablets for disadvantaged students in our community,” he said when contacted by New Sarawak Tribune.
He also said he had designated a specific helpdesk in his constituency to deal with problems his constituents might have with regard to this matter.
“The people have been going to them, via phone or in person. Most of the time, they are questions about internet access and some about technological devices,” he said.
He said his staff members tried to help by providing links to online educational tools.
“Fortunately, most of my staff are familiar with various videoconferencing and online collaboration tools and are able to point anyone who is a bit lost in the right direction.
“We may not be able to help everyone, but we do what we can,” said Lo, who is also Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman.
He said it was a blessing that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg had been advocating and pushing for Sarawak to go digital years prior to this pandemic.
“That is why you have probably seen me praising the rapid rise of the use of broadband provided by Unifi around Padawan. I hope this positive attitude and push towards digitalisation will continue,” he said.
