Closing In On The Digital Divide

By Tengku Noor Shamsiah, Bernama (Malaysian National News Agency)

3/11/06

Better to be late than never, says Abdul Rauf Mohd Taib, who at age 75 has just started to handle a computer and is learning how to use it.

"Being a senior citizen, we must also keep abreast with the development surrounding us, particularly in this globalised world," he says.

Abdul Rauf, who hails from Kampung Datuk Shah Bandar here, is among the participants who are taking up computer classes at the Maxis Cyberlab in Pekan.

"Maxis has done a great job by setting up Cyberlabs throughout the country as this is not only helping to bridge the digital divide among the children but the whole rural society," he said.

Prior to his retirement in 1987, Abdul Rauf was the assistant director of the Customs and Excise Department.

"Age does not limit anyone to learn something new, particularly that which can provide great benefits," he told Bernama after the official launch of the Maxis Cyberlab here by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Friday.

Abdul Rauf said that he had heard about computers while he was still in service, "but it was not being used as often and beneficial as now."

"I have a daughter who is a computer expert, but she does not really have the time to teach me in the house.

"The Maxis Cyberlab is a blessing in disguise as I can attend my computer lessons without interrupting anybody's time," he said, adding that Maxis was providing computer experts to teach those attending the classes.

Abdul Rauf attends the computer classes twice a week on Saturdays and Sundays and has so far learnt the basics.

He urged other senior citizens to take up the computer courses at Cyberlab, saying that apart from being free of charge, it would also expand their knowledge.

Four-year old Natasya Fazwanie Jamsani meanwhile has gained from the Cyberlab as she now knows how to make use of a computer.

"Natasya who joined the computer classes at Cyberlab Pekan last September, has the knowledge to apply the microsoft paint programme and microsoft word. And know she is learning how to use the power point," her trainer Nur Azlin Dzulkarnain said.

Nur Azlin said it was something special for Natasya who does not even have a computer in the house to be able to draw and paint through the computer programme.

Trainer, Normaizatul Syazrah Mohd Zailani, 26, said she chose to be one of the trainers for Cyberlab here as to enable the rural community to benefit from the infrastructure set up by a corporate giant like Maxis.

"Although the salary is not that lucrative compared with (what I could earn) if I were to work in the big cities, but I would like to share the expertise I have, with the rural folks here," said Normaizatul who graduated from the Universiti Tun Abdul Razak in 2005.

She said the cyberlab was equipped with computers, projector, printer, digital camera, webcam and access to the internet.

Cyberlab members are taught to use programmes like Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint as well as going into the Internet including accessing e-mails and so on.

Earlier at the opening ceremony, Maxis Communications Bhd chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor said the company has allocated RM2 million for the setting up of seven Maxis Cyberlabs throughout the country in its efforts to bridge the digital divide among the people.

"There are now more than 23,000 cyberlab members at seven locations namely Pekan, Kuala Pilah, Dungun, Tanah Merah, Kepala Batas, Serian and Keningau," he said.

The Pekan Maxis Cyberlab, which was opened to the public in September last year, has attracted more than 1,200 members.

Megat Zaharuddin said the overwhelming response has made the Pekan Cyberlab the most popular among the seven cyberlabs Maxis had set up to support the government's effort to provide information communication technology (ICT) facilities to the people.

The Pekan Cyberlab, which offers free computer lessons, is being managed by three local trainers. It is also equipped with computers worth RM100,000.

Maxis Cyberlab is one of the important elements in Maxis' Social Responsibility Programme called Maxis Bridging Communities (MBC).