1Malaysia netbooks dent ICT businesses

SIBU: ICT-related businesses in the state have been seriously affected by the free distribution of 1Malaysia netbooks to students and low income families.

Computer Sales and Services Association (CSSA) Sarawak chairman Victor Kuan said the matter was so serious that it prompted them to send a memorandum to Deputy Minister of Information, Communication, and Culture Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum to highlight their plight.
CSSA Sarawak is a trade association representing the majority of computer and system integrators in the state.

Kuan said the ICT industry in the state employed about 10,000 people whose livelihood had been affected by the government’s distribution of free Netbooks.

“CSSA Sarawak does not doubt that the government’s initiative to give 1Malaysia Netbook to the needy for free is noble, but this exercise is having a very negative impact on us,” he said in a press statement yesterday.

“We understand that in the sixth phase, the government will be giving away another 50,000 units in Sarawak, and this will further hurt the ICT industry even more.”

Kuan pointed out that the government only appointed certain companies to handle the distribution and this caused all CSSA Sarawak members to lose business.

He said the association was ready to co-operate with the government to assist in the distribution and to provide after-sales service.

He pointed out that CSSA Sarawak members were all qualified professionals and their companies were located in very strategic locations throughout the state.

During their meeting with Salang here, CSSA proposed that the government consider issuing vouchers to those qualified for free 1Malaysia Netbook.

He said the vouchers could be redeemed from any CSSA Sarawak members.

“All CSSA Sarawak members’ companies will register themselves as authorized agents of the government,” he said.

To ensure accountability and transparency, he said CSSA Sarawak would also submit reports to the government on the distribution of the 1Malaysia Netbooks.

“We sincerely hope that the government can seriously consider our proposal and we look forward to serving the government.”

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