KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Information Department (JAPEN) has implemented the Info On Wheels (IOW) programme at 23,962 locations nationwide, reaching an audience of 1.65 million from Jan 1 to Sept 23, in an effort to expand the dissemination of information related to the MADANI Government's policies, assistance and initiatives.
The Communications Ministry said that 5,571 JIWA@Komuniti MADANI: Sembang Santai programmes were also implemented during the same period, involving 616,961 members of the MADANI Community to enhance public understanding of various government initiatives.
He said that the programme is among the government's comprehensive, inclusive, and continuous communication strategies implemented through face-to-face approaches, narrative coordination, publication of communication materials and digital dissemination, taking into account the needs of different target groups.
"To ensure that the message conveyed is consistent and easily understood, 231 narratives and pointers related to policies, assistance, programmes, and achievements of the MADANI Government have been prepared as a reference for field officers.
"The narrative encompasses four main frameworks, namely the economy for the people, leadership with integrity, national unity and consistent achievements, with an emphasis on explaining the benefits of policies to the people using easily understandable language," the ministry stated in a written response on the Parliament portal today.
The ministry answered Suhaizan Kaiat's (PH-Pulai) question regarding the government's communication strategy in addressing the public's confusion about government policies and benefits, which makes them easily influenced by false information and propaganda.
In expanding digital reach, the ministry reported that 9,294 posts were uploaded on JAPEN's official social media, including 1,298 creative content pieces that recorded 16.51 million views as of Sept 22.
It said the effort was supported through the publication of 50 brochures, 35 bulletins and four booklets, in addition to organising 68 exhibitions that attracted 162,900 visitors and the use of 4,000 screens through strategic partners.
It also said that the government will continue to strengthen integrated communication through various channels to ensure that the people receive accurate, clear, and easily understandable information, thereby enabling them to make fact-based assessments and not be easily swayed by misleading narratives.
Meanwhile, in response to Datuk Siti Aminah Aching's (BN-Beaufort) question regarding the level of high-speed internet coverage and the issue of weak or no internet access in that parliamentary area, the Ministry of Communications said that 37 areas were identified as experiencing problems with that facility from Jan 1 to Sept 1.
Following that, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) issued 104 Notices of Non-Compliance to service providers between March 11 and Aug 5 to obtain improvement plans at the affected locations.
“A total of 51 instances of non-compliance have been resolved through the optimisation of the existing network, while another 33 will be addressed via improvements to network coverage and capacity. The remaining 20 require further action through a Commission Directive,” the ministry stated.
The ministry also said that internet and communication coverage in the populated areas of the Beaufort parliamentary constituency has reached 99.57 per cent as of Sept 1 through the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA), with 29 communication towers completed, 113 transmitter stations upgraded, and 7,526 premises equipped with fibre optic access.
For the 5G network, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) provides coverage to 20 per cent of populated areas through one transmitter site, while U Mobile Sdn Bhd achieves 42.80 per cent coverage through five upgraded transmitter sites as of the same date.
-- BERNAMA