SONG: The 1Malaysia Internet Centre (PI1M), is not just a place that provides Internet access to the community, especially those less fortunate to simply browse social sites.
In fact, a nationwide collective programme implemented by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has expanded its role from merely providing Internet facilities to a centre that provides training that will enhance the socio-economic status of the people in the country.
The role is very significant and beneficial to the community especially when the PI1M is located in a small town in Sarawak such as Song, which is in the Kapit parliamentary constituency.
The Song PI1M, housed at the Song Fort, a remnant of the Rajah Brooke era overlooking the Rajang River near the Katibas River estuary, was initially known as the Song Community Broadband Centre and commenced operations on October 14, 2009.
Since then, the centre has registered 2,185 members who can use the Internet facilities there at a rate of RM1 per hour compared to RM2 per hour for non members.
Song PI1M manager, Daisy Unggang said the centre also held various programmes to build a more information technology literate Song community in line with the nation’s vision to create an informed Malaysian community by 2020.
“The programmes we provide for the people in Song are Intel Learn Programme (ILP), Smart Click Programme (KDB), Entrepreneurship Training, ICT Cambridge, Intel Learn Easy Steps (ILES) and the latest is Community Dashboard,” she told Bernama.
She said through these programmes, communities in the district had started exploring things that were previously unfamiliar to them like Facebook social site and e-commerce.
“Prior to this, the community leaders and locals were afraid of ICT. But after a series of exposure, they are now more confident to use it,” said Daisy.
With basic knowledge in ICT, she said they were able to create a 1Malaysia (K1M) Facebook Community Account for their longhouses and villages.
“They can now get the information and development on the outside world, including on policies implemented by the government that can help improve their lives,” she said.
The Smart Clik programme at the Song PI1M trains the peope in the district to use the information technology correctly and properly besides differentiating between true or fake information.
Small entrepreneurs are also trained to use the Internet to introduce and outline their products.
“At present, they are still unable to expand their businesses or entreprises because their markets are still confined to this district. But with the knowledge they have gained, they can go far in future especially with the Sarawak government’s effort to advance the digital economy,” she said.
Small enterprises that are mostly being undertaken by the people in Song is bead handicraft.
For the youths, Song PI1M is often the place for them to acquire knowledge besides searching and applying for jobs online.
However Song PI1M Song does not limit its function for that purpose as it also introduces creative industries to the young people there.
“This is done by exposing the youths to short video making. This activity attracts their interest and receives overwhelming response from them,” she said.
Daisy added PI1M would continue to improve its functions so as to bridge the digital gap between the urban and rural communities.
