YTL's Chromebook cheaper, says deputy minister

PARLIAMENT Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan today defended the government's purchase of Chromebooks from YTL Corp for school students, saying it was more economical to do so than to build new computer labs in schools.

"I would like to inform that the use of Chromebooks (in a classroom) comes to about RM86,700 but if we were to build a normal computer lab, the cost would be RM150,000.

"That means using a Chromebook could reduce the cost by 50% compared to building a computer lab. That is why we are using the Chromebook through YTL," he told Parliament in his winding up speech during the debate of the Supplementary Supply (2012) Bill.

Ahmad was responding to Zairil Khir Johari (DAP-Bukit Bendera) who queried the government's rationale of granting several projects to YTL involving schools including a chromebook for every student which he claims could amount to up to RM9 billion when fully implemented.

Ahmad said he did not know where Zairil's RM9 billion figure came from but said as for the chromebook project, at this stage, it is only worth RM253 million.

With regard to the 1BestariNet, an internet service for schools, the deputy minister backed YTL's assertion that the project was granted through open tender.

"1BestariNet was granted through open tender involving 14 companies and is intended to provide Internet connection in 10,000 schools and is worth RM663 million," he said.