Kuala Lumpur: The announcement by Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil approving an allocation of RM200 million through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to resolve internet access issues at educational institutions under Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA) is seen as a major step in ensuring the agency’s institutions are operating at their best.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, MARA chairman Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki stated that most of the 344 institutions under the agency focus on Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which requires strong internet and digital access. This initiative includes addressing coverage issues at places such as the Ayer Molek MARA Professional College in Melaka, which previously served as a pilot project.

Dr Asyraf emphasized the importance of the support from the Communications Ministry, particularly MCMC, in enhancing MARA’s education ecosystem to be more conducive to learning. With 175,000 students in MARA educational institutions, access to reliable internet is deemed necessary. He mentioned that MARA would soon submit a list of institutions requiring internet access upgrades to be addressed within the year.

On the matter of internet misuse, he addressed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s earlier remarks urging action against students misusing high-speed internet for sexual misconduct. Dr Asyraf reiterated that the agency takes such behavior seriously as it falls under criminal conduct. MARA is committed to taking firm action, including potentially terminating the students’ studies, to ensure such behavior is not tolerated.