POOR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN SABAH MUST BE ADDRESSED - JOHNNY MOSITUN

22 JAN 2021

KOTA KINABALU: The poor internet access in Sabah must be addressed soon and urgently, said Limbahau Community Development Leader Datuk Johnny Mositun.

He said a long term solution for the problem is also vital and he urged the federal and state government to do so.

"A long term resolution must be reached because internet access is very important for the people especially in this current situation where the Covid-19 pandemic has forced everyone to adapt with the new normal.

"Most students now are required to study through online classes and businesses have also adopted digitilisation. It is sad and disappointing to hear that some places do not have internet access, making it difficult for the students to follow their daily lessons," said the PBS Vice President in a statement today.

Mositun explained that for example where a recent media report of a father in Kampung Gana Papar who had to built a hut on top of a hill just so that his children can gain internet access to study.

Jeffery Joseph, 41, said the area where he built the hut is about an eight-minute walk from his house and is the only spot that has internet connection.

Mositun who is also PBS Limbahau chief applauded Jeffrey's initiative to look for internet coverage so that his children can study online.

"It is vital that the poor or no internet access must be addressed not only in Limbahau but also throughout the state," he said after trekking to the top of the hill to see for himself the situation yesterday.

Mositun stressed that they are not blaming the government but want the issue to be look into as it does not only occurs in Kampung Gana.

"Ever since the pandemic occur, a lot of things have changed including the education system and nowadays internet connectivity is now viewed as an 'essential' in daily lives because people are encouraged to stay at home.

Jeffrey's children aged 8, 9 and 12 are students of SJK(C) Anglo Chinese in the state capital. They were feeling cooped up in their apartment in the state capital so their parents took them back to Kampung Gana where they had more freedom.

This time, they decided to extend their stay there following the implementation of the Movement Control Order.

For now, Jeffery would bring a computer and a tablet to the hill with his children for their daily online classes. He and his brother used bamboo which can be found around the hill to build the makeshift hut.