Need to address poor internet access in Sabah

 By Olivia Miwil - January 23, 2021 @ 12:11pm

Parti Bersatu Sabah vice president Datuk Johnny Mositun visiting the makeshift hut used for the children's online study session at Kampung Gana here. - NSTP/ Picture courtesy of Datuk Johnny Mositun.

PAPAR: The federal and Sabah governments should urgently address the issue of poor internet access in the state, especially now that students are forced to study online.

Limbahau community development leader Datuk Johnny Mositun said a long-term resolution is needed on the matter.

"The Covid-19 situation has forced everyone to live with the new normal. Students are studying through online classes and businesses have also adopted digitalisation.

"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 Johnny in a statement.

The Parti Bersatu Sabah vice president had visited a makeshift hut on a hill at Kampung Gana, which was built by a father for his three children to attend online classes.

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

His 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 (MCO).

"The issue here is there is a need to address the issue of internet blind spots not only in Limbahau but Sabah in general.

"Since the lockdown, many things have changed, including the education system and internet coverage is now viewed as an 'essential' in daily lives because people are encouraged to stay at home," he added.