KUCHING: The state government should consider giving out cash vouchers to eligible Sarawakian tertiary students under the ‘free laptop’ programme next year to allow them to redeem their laptops at any shops under the umbrella of the Sarawak ICT Association (SICTA).
The suggestion came from Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen who said the initiative will benefit 5,000 students from families with a monthly household income of RM1,500 and below, with an allocation of RM15 million in the 2024 state budget.
Instead of appointing one or two vendors to supply all the 5,000 laptops, he suggested that the state government give out cash vouchers to these students which can be redeemed for laptops at any of the SICTA-member shops.
“In that way, it won’t just benefit selected or appointed suppliers, but all the members of SICTA,” he said.
Chong, who is also the Stampin MP and Padungan assemblyman, was speaking at the Sarawak ICT Association’s 23rd anniversary dinner held here last night (Dec 14).
He said that by providing the students the choice to choose from a much larger pool of suppliers, the competition will thus ensure that the students get the best laptops out of the programme and the best after-sale services.
“Therefore, I support the call of the association’s chairman to the Sarawak government to allow all members of SICTA to supply the laptops to the students.
“This can be implemented by issuing to the target students cash vouchers redeemable for laptops,” he added.
Also present at the dinner were the Sarawak Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) president Datuk Seri Abang Abdul Karim Tun Openg and Sarawak ICT Association central chairman Wong Ing Ang.
