CTU programme brings cheer to rural people
PASIR PUTEH, April 21 (Bernama) -- Some 189 new houses have been built in six states under the Connecting the Unconnected (CTU) programme, organised by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry (KKMM), said its secretary-general Tan Sri Dr Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad.
She said the states were Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang, Perak, Johor and Sabah.
"The new house will have water supply, electricity, television set and Astro NJOI digital broadcast equipment to make it easier for the recipients to get information," she told reporters after visiting a house under the NBOS-CTU extension programme at Kedai Menanti here today.
Sharifah Zarah said the programme, which kicked off two years ago through the National Blue Ocean Strategy (NBOS) in collaboration with other ministries and the private sector, was effective in helping the poor.
She said the programme would also address the problems of rural people who did not have access to the Internet, radio and television.
Sharifah Zarah said through good telecommunication facilities, especially the Internet access, it would be easier for the people residing in rural and interior areas to communicate and obtain information.
The government could also disseminate information more quickly, she added.
She said the ministry was also committed to expanding the programme to the Orang Asli community after a few programmes held in Orang Asli settlements such as in Royal Belum, Perak.
Meanwhile, a recipient of the house, Mohd Zulkifly Rajab, 36, said it was difficult for him to repair his dilapidated house without the assistance from the federal government.
Mohd Zulkifly, who does odd jobs in the village, lives in the house with his wife Shafarah Mohd Junoh, 30, and their four children, aged between five and 13.
-- BERNAMA
