'GOV' SMS cost RM0.001 per message, Fahmi says

PARLIAMENT | Non-critical SMS from "GOV" cost RM0.001 per message while critical ones are free, Dewan Rakyat was told.

According to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Putrajaya struck a deal with telecommunication companies in July 2020 to set up the "GOV" SMS system to help the government share critical communications and government initiatives with mobile phone users.

"SMS content in the critical category is specifically related to the Covid-19 response, natural disasters and matters concerning national security," he said.

Fahmi (above) was responding to Wong Shu Qi (Harapan - Kluang) who sought the total amount spent on the "GOV" SMS service and the amount allocated for the service.

Fahmi neither disclosed the total amount spent nor allocated. Wong did not ask for the cost per message as well.

However, based on the estimate of 29 million smartphones used - as cited by Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation's (Mdec) website - each SMS should cost RM29,000.

Mdec is an agency under Fahmi's ministry.

The "GOV" SMS system was frequently used by the then Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in 2021 and 2022 to promote government events such as the "100 days of Keluarga Malaysia" and the "Jelajah Keluarga Malaysia" events. - Mkini