Pahang to become country’s first ICT hub

Friday July 25, 2008 MYT 4:44:16 PM

Pahang to become country’s first ICT hub

By ROSLINA MOHAMAD

KUANTAN: Pahang is set to become the first information, communication and technology (ICT) infrastructure hub in the country with investments estimated between RM10bil and RM12bil.

Under the project, the state will be turned into a high-speed broadband infrastructure provider offering bandwidth between 30MB and 100MB nationwide.

According to state Information, Science, Technology and Innovation Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Sharkar Shamsuddin, the project was proposed to be undertaken by a consortium that would comprise state government-linked company, Pahang Technology Resources Sdn Bhd and several well-established companies from Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Europe and the United States.

``A proposal on the project was submitted to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) a few weeks ago.

``We are now waiting to make a presentation before the Cabinet Committee on ICT that is chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,'' he told reporters Thursday after presenting prizes to winners of a debate competition organised by the state Anti-Corruption Agency and education department at a hotel here.

He added that a team consisting of technical specialists conducted a three-year research before they drafted the proposal.

To a question, Mohd Sharkar said the project would be funded by the consortium and several financial institutions and that the Government did not have to spend a single sen.

``The companies and financial institutions have given their commitment to provide financial back-up for the project,'' he added.

He said it was understood that a sum of RM10bil would be allocated by the Government to develop ICT facilities.

``If the consortium gets the nod to proceed with the project, the RM10bil allocation can be used for other people-centric projects,'' he said.

Mohd Sharkar said the project would also benefit at least 1,700 contractors who would be responsible in laying fibre optic cables to consumers' premises and homes.

On how soon the project could commence, Mohd Sharkar said it could take off any time after the approval was obtained.

It would be developed in stages with the first phase to cover populated areas and capital cities such as Klang Valley, Penang, Johor Baru and Kuantan, he said, adding, it would take three years to complete.

The second and third phase would include rural areas nationwide, he said.

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