Information Minister Rais Yatim has responded to criticism of the RM500 cap on the government’s smartphone rebate saying cabinet may consider models “slightly above” the cap.
At a press conference today, Rais (right) said he will bring the widespread opposition to the price cap on smartphones eligible under the Youth Communication Package programme to the cabinet's attention.
He said he hopes the issue would be discussed with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at the next cabinet meeting on Jan 2.
"If the youth - the so-called Generation Y - want a high-tech 3G phone, perhaps there are phones slightly above RM500 that we could consider," he said today.
At a press conference today, Rais (right) said he will bring the widespread opposition to the price cap on smartphones eligible under the Youth Communication Package programme to the cabinet's attention.He said he hopes the issue would be discussed with Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak at the next cabinet meeting on Jan 2.
"If the youth - the so-called Generation Y - want a high-tech 3G phone, perhaps there are phones slightly above RM500 that we could consider," he said today.
Rais was asked to respond to Umno Youth chief Khairy JamaluddinAbu Bakar's call to waive the RM500 cap.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which is under the Ministry of Information, had previously defended the much-criticised criterion saying the intended target group of the RM200 rebate were not those who could afford smartphones above the RM500 limit.
Gov’t yet to consider lower charges
When asked if the ministry would also ask telecommunications companies to lower their data charges in tandem with the government’s rebate aimed at allowing the poor to afford internet access through the smartphones, Rais said this suggestion has yet to be brought to the ministry's attention.
However, he said all telcos have already been instructed to improve their services, including data services such as preventing dropped calls.
As an example, he said telcos are required to disclose the number of dropped calls in each month and the MCMC could impose a fine on the company if the problem persists.
Rais, who was met by reporters while overseeing preparations for the government's Christmas Open House on Dec 31, was also asked to respond to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's demand for live TV coverage on TV3 and the government-owned station RTM.
Hadi (above) reportedly told Sinar Harian today that he wanted one hour on live TV to explain his 1981 address, which allegedly called for jihad against Umno.
Rais passed the ball back to RTM saying it was their prerogative to decide if Hadi’s explanation was newsworthy, advising the PAS chief to inform RTM where would he like to have his explanation recorded.
"But it is up to RTM to present it as news or informational material, and at the same time others should also be allowed to comment on what Hadi had done," he said.
These include other muftis, the Islamic Affairs Department, and other authorities, he said.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), which is under the Ministry of Information, had previously defended the much-criticised criterion saying the intended target group of the RM200 rebate were not those who could afford smartphones above the RM500 limit.
Gov’t yet to consider lower charges
When asked if the ministry would also ask telecommunications companies to lower their data charges in tandem with the government’s rebate aimed at allowing the poor to afford internet access through the smartphones, Rais said this suggestion has yet to be brought to the ministry's attention.
However, he said all telcos have already been instructed to improve their services, including data services such as preventing dropped calls.
As an example, he said telcos are required to disclose the number of dropped calls in each month and the MCMC could impose a fine on the company if the problem persists.Rais, who was met by reporters while overseeing preparations for the government's Christmas Open House on Dec 31, was also asked to respond to PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang's demand for live TV coverage on TV3 and the government-owned station RTM.
Hadi (above) reportedly told Sinar Harian today that he wanted one hour on live TV to explain his 1981 address, which allegedly called for jihad against Umno.
Rais passed the ball back to RTM saying it was their prerogative to decide if Hadi’s explanation was newsworthy, advising the PAS chief to inform RTM where would he like to have his explanation recorded.
"But it is up to RTM to present it as news or informational material, and at the same time others should also be allowed to comment on what Hadi had done," he said.
These include other muftis, the Islamic Affairs Department, and other authorities, he said.
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