KULAI: Contractors involved in Phase One of the National Digital Network Plan (Jendela) project may face penalties if they apply for an extension of time (EOT) again, says the Communications Ministry.
Its Deputy Minister Teo Nie Ching said the ministry is considering imposing a late delivery fee on contractors seeking additional time to deliver the project.
“Phase One of the project has yet to be completed. We have had many discussions with them (contractors) and given them an EOT.
“It is not fair for users waiting for the services,” she said.
Teo said the ministry is holding discussions with the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to see if there is a need to impose a late delivery fee on contractors requesting a further extension.
“We will decide when we receive an EOT application. It will be on a case-by-case basis,” the Kulai MP told a press conference at a health screening programme here yesterday.
Jendela was launched in September 2020 to provide quality broadband coverage and boost Internet access nationwide.
It also aims to provide fibre optic broadband access to nine million premises, expand 4G coverage in all populated areas, and increase broadband speeds to 100Mbps by 2025.
On a separate matter, Teo urged the public to always refer to the Health Ministry for reliable information on health matters, particularly on the spread of diseases such as mpox.
“Every time there are new concerns about any diseases, we will see people spreading misleading and inaccurate information on social media.
“I hope the public will refer to the Health Ministry on such matters. Do not share information you are unsure of,” she said.
Earlier, the Health Ministry debunked a viral social media post about the spread of mpox in Singapore.
On the Mahkota by-election, Teo – who is also DAP national publicity secretary – said the party would support and assist Umno’s candidate in the campaign.“Pakatan Harapan, including DAP, will give its support to Umno.
“We (DAP) have started preparations and had several meetings with our members in Kluang because they are the ones who will be involved the most in this election,” she added.
She said the party would also attend the meeting between Pakatan and Barisan Nasional scheduled for tomorrow to discuss issues related to the by-election.
The Mahkota state seat became vacant after its assemblyman Datuk Sharifah Azizah Syed Zain, from Umno, passed away on Aug 2.
Sharifah Azizah won the seat with a 5,166-vote majority against Amanah’s Taqiuddin Cheman, Bersatu’s Mohamad Nor Lingan, and Warisan’s Mohamed Noor Suleiman in the 2022 Johor state election.
The Election Commission has set Sept 14 as nomination day and Sept 28 for polling.
