GEDONG, Dec 6: A group of local journalists seen busy covering the 12th Sarawak Election’s nomination day at Anjung Usahawan Gedong here were impressed with the fast Internet connectivity in the rural constituency.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is contesting in the area in a four-cornered fight against candidates from Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) and AMANAH.
Journalists from local publications and online portals The Boneo Post, DayakDaily, Utusan Borneo and Utusan Sarawak said that they were impressed with the connectivity in the area.
Borneo Post chief reporter Churchill Edward was thrilled that the internet speed at Anjung Usahawan Gedong was fast enough for him to file his news. The other four journalists who were seated next to him at the same table echoed his sentiments.
“The fast internet speed here makes our work easier and we can send our news almost immediately,” Churchill said when interviewed by Nuju Digital, an e-newsletter of Sarawak Multimedia Authority (SMA) here today.
DayakDaily’s senior writer Christopher Bishop concurred with Churchill and enthused that he had already filed a few stories after the nomination period was closed at 11am.
Nearby, a stall owner at Gedong Food Court Norazmin Madjeni, 33, said the fast Internet coverage in Gedong allowed his customers to enjoy their time while having their drinks at his stall.
“Besides good 4G coverage, we are also provided with free WiFi through MySRBN (Sarawak Rural Broadband Network) since the fasting month, this year. This Internet service has helped us to attract customers to our stalls.
“Besides, we have been able to order our stuff via Shopee during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period, all due to the good Internet coverage here in Gedong,” said Norazmin.
His friend Mohammad Syukri Madian 35, on the other hand hoped that the 4G mobile connection in Gedong could be more stable so that he does need to migrate from one telecommunication network to another.
“I have used Celcom, Digi, Maxis and now back to Celcom through XOX. This is because sometimes the lines are not stable. Furthermore, whenever there is a power outage, it will also affect the communication network,” he pointed out.
Both of them nevertheless hoped that with Abang Johari would be able to transform Gedong from a quiet and isolated hamlet to a vibrant town in the near future.
Two young ladies who worked at Anjung Usahawan Gedong, Safina Kamsul and Sharifah Syakira Wan Ismail, were both enthusiastic and looking forward to the future.
“Young people like us prefer to buy our stuff online, such as from online shopping platform Shopee. And with good Internet coverage and WiFi connectivity provided by MySRBN here at the food court, we are no longer left behind.
“But of course, we are excited about the future with Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Tan Sri Abang Johari as our representative,” added Safina. — DayakDaily
