KUCHING: The Federal government has pledged to resolve the issues related to the digital divide in Sarawak within next five years.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak said the first phase of the recovery plan to improve telecommunication services in Sarawak is now 85 percent completed, with an allocation of RM290 million.

The second phase, involving RM1.8 billion will be done under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and is expected to be launched by Najib next month.

“Improving Internet connectivity in Sarawak is an ongoing effort as we want to ensure that the people in the rural areas, longhouses and villages can enjoy high-speed Internet as well,” he said at the launch of the ‘Malaysian National Digital Inclusion’ program at the Kuching Waterfront here.

A total of 150 communication towers, 435 Wifi hotspots have been built in the state to date.

This, said Najib, is part of the government’s commitment to bridge the state’s digital divide.

“This is the difference between the Barisan Nasional government and the Opposition.

The Opposition can only make promises without doing anything. “But, when the BN government promises, we deliver.”-nst