By Adrian Lim
PUTRAJAYA, Jan 18: The federal government has extended the provision of free 1 Gigabyte (GB) data to the public for education purposes until the end of April 2021.
Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the telecommunication industry is committed to provide assistance during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
“The provision of free 1 Gigabyte data has been offered to the public to browse websites including for educational purposes.
“This RM500 million facility started on January 1, 2021 and will be extended until the end of April 2021,” he said during a special address on the new economic stimulus package known as ‘Perlindungan Ekonomi dan Rakyat Malaysia’ (Permai) Assistance Package which was broadcast live today.
The extension of the provision of free Internet data was one of the 22 initiatives under the Permai Assistance Package valued at RM15 billion.
Muhyiddin added the new assistance package will be implemented based on three main objectives namely combating the Covid-19 outbreak, safeguarding the welfare of the people and supporting business continuity.
In June last year, Muhyiddin announced that Malaysians will enjoy one bigabyte of free Internet from 8am until 6pm daily until the end of last year to enable the country to embrace the new norm brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was one of 40 incentives announced under the RM45 billion Penjana Economic Recovery Plan which was made possible between the government and telecommunications service providers.
In the meantime, Muhyiddin added, all Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) and Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia (STPM) students will enjoy a special Internet subscription package.
He revealed that the package will be made available for public examination students until the end of April 2021
Apart from that, Muhyiddin announced a special tax relief of up to RM2,500 for the purchase of mobile phones, computers and tablets will be extended for another year until the end of 2021
He noted the special tax relief expired on December 31 last year. — DayakDaily
