Hajiji listening to the briefing.
KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has directed the State Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (KSTI) to closely monitor the
installation of telecommunication towers under phase one of the National Digital Network (JENDELA) project in Sabah.
“Phase two of JENDELA will be rolled out next year, but the contractor’s performance is still much to be desired,” he said after his working visit to KSTI at Wisma
Bandaraya here today.
The Chief Minister was briefed by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) that only 217 of the 382 towers or 57 per cent under JENDELA phase one, have been completed in Sabah.
Of the 217 completed towers, only 63 per cent is fully operational.
Hajiji said the KSTI and MCMC must ensure works are completed according to
schedule.
He warned that the State Government would not be hesitant to take action if there is no improvement in the project’s performance.
Hajiji was also briefed by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Hanafiah Mohd Kassim on efforts to reduce unemployment through training based on job placement as well as to attract more students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
“I want the Ministry to concentrate on STEM in line with the demand of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).
“We do not want to be left behind hence the ministry needs to play its role as the state’s main proponent of science and technology,” he said.
Present at the briefing were Deputy Chief Minister II cum Local Government and
Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Science, Technology
and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Mohd Ariffin Mohd Arif, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Masidi Manjun, Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, State Secretary Datuk Seri Sr Safar Untong and assistant ministers.
