The quality of free tablets being procured for varsity students from B40 families under the RM450 million PerantiSiswa programme is being questioned by netizens and politicians alike.
This comes after Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa announced the procurement of the tablets.
He said the ministry is working hard to ensure that the website for online applications is ready and he expected it to be so by April 15.
"The procurement issues are being managed by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry and the Finance Ministry," he tweeted yesterday.
In response to Annuar’s tweet, several netizens asked the minister to reveal the specifications of the tablet.
K-KOMM sedang berkerja keras menyiapkan portal permohonan on line bagi PerantiSiswa yg di jangka di buka 15hb ini.Urusan perolehan juga sedang di urus oleh K-KOMM dan MOF.(foto hiasan) pic.twitter.com/T51A6vWt3V
— Annuar Musa (@AnnuarMusa) April 3, 2022
”Don't give a cap ayam laptop (tablet), make sure the contractor or supplier really does its job," said a netizen.
Another internet user questioned the specification of the devices.
“What is the spec? Hope it will not explode," the user said.
"It's a Chinese brand tablet plus a cheap keyboard, you can get them both at Shopee," claimed another.
Muda vice-president Lim Wei Jiet asked the government to be transparent over the procurement process of these tablets.
"Can't the government just give good quality laptops from established brands? Open and transparent tender. Buy in bulk. Negotiate a good deal. You can save so much cost.
“Is this really so difficult? You can't fault people for suspecting something fishy is going on," he tweeted.
In further response, Annuar tweeted that the photos were only meant as illustrations and not as actual examples of the tablets that will be provided.
Tablets over laptops?
PKR's Johor Bahru MP Akmal Nasir questioned why the government is giving tablets when the students need laptops.
"I asked for the details and the supplier company in Parliament last month, but Annuar replied that the supplier has not been finalised. For the sake of accountability, we want to know this information," he said.
When asked about the specifications of the free tablet, Annuar did not provide a direct answer.
"Just wait. The procurement is still underway and is to be finalised by the Finance Ministry. All factors have already been taken into consideration," he told Malaysiakini.
The PerantiSiswa programme was announced by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz during the tabling of Budget 2022 which will see free tablets given to 600,000 students from the B40 group. - Mkini
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