KUALA LUMPUR: The launch of the 5G Rahmah package yesterday is seen as providing more comprehensive benefits, and covering all levels of society.
Zuriani Aimi Mustaffa, 45, from Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, said the initiative gives a positive signal to individual from M40 group like herself, who receive hardly any benefit from government initiatives.
“The 5G Rahmah package is good because it can be enjoyed by everyone. Thank you to the MADANI government for coming up with this initiative for the people,” the private sector employee told Bernama.
Earlier, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, launched the 5G Rahmah package, which will be offered to all Malaysians from Aug 31 to December.
The initiative will offer basic data plans for smartphones not exceeding RM240, and post-paid plans as low as RM60 per month with a minimum of 60GB.
Private sector employee Ahmad Rafizal Abdul Rahman, 39, said the 5G Rahmah package was in line with current needs, where high-speed internet is a necessity for work.
“High-speed internet is critical for those in online businesses, and also students. The government’s offer is timely,” he said when met in Kuantan, Pahang.
A local university student from Melaka, Nurhanani Jasni, 25, intends to take up the government’s plan as her current RM58 post-paid plan with 40GB is inadequate.
“I hope the government 5G plan will provide speedier internet access. I need to complete my thesis and do a lot of journal references online…and work and read online as well,” she said.
Muhammad Akif Azhar, 25, a p-hailing rider from Alor Setar, Kedah, said that the initiative provided the B40 group the opportunity to buy smartphones at cheaper prices.
He said as a food delivery rider, he definitely needs a device equipped with sufficient data to take orders and make deliveries.
“You only have to pay RM120 (for the 100,000 first customers from the B40 group) to get the device under this package. It is really affordable and helpful,” he said.
Haslina Halim, 32, a law firm employee in Penang, said she can save up to RM40 per month with the 5G Rahmah package as she is currently paying RM100.
She said the 5G Rahmah package, which offers cheaper mobile phone prices, also gives her the opportunity to replace her existing phone, which is three years old.
“Perhaps other people see it (RM40) as such a small amount, but for me, I can use it to buy thing such as disposable diapers… you can get a big pack,” said the mother of two.
As for Mohd Khairi Fawzi, 38, a private sector employee in Selangor, he said that the government’s initiative could reduce phone bills for himself and his wife, thereby lowering their household expenses.
Fahmi also launched the Rahmah Civil Servant Postpaid incentive, which offers discounts to federal, state and local government officials, subject to the terms of the telecommunications companies involved.
Civil servant, Nurashikin Haron, 28, described the incentive as a measure which meets the needs of increasingly sophisticated technological developments.
The RTM Negeri Sembilan producer said that high-speed internet access is essential to complete tasks smoothly, especially when working in the field.
“Internet is widely used at work, for Zoom meetings, video calls and so on. This incentive, which offers affordable prices, is helpful for civil servants who need a high bandwidth and stable internet,” she said.
Meanwhile, Asriyah Rejab, a teacher from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, said the incentive for civil servants is an apt and effective move by the government to help reduce the current cost of living.
“A rebate of RM10 per month for 12 months on postpaid packages worth RM60 and above for civil servants is timely,” she said. – BERNAMA
