KUCHING: The 5G RAHMAH package announced by Minister of Communications and Digital Fahmi Fadzil has been well-received by the people of Sarawak as it allows them to buy new phones to replace the one that is damaged or for the use of their schoolchildren.
The 5G RAHMAH package, which is offered to all Malaysians from Aug 31 until December involves smartphone brands such as Samsung A14 5G and Honor 90 Lite 5G for as low as RM240 and a 60GB data plan for RM60 per month
Richie Merlin, 28, a storekeeper at a beverage factory, said the initiative was a relief for him as it would allow him, who is not well off, to change his phone which was damaged a few months ago.
“It’s not cheap to repair the mobile phone screen. Even if it’s repaired, there’s no guarantee it will last. So, now is my opportunity to get a new mobile phone at an affordable price,” he told Bernama.
Forty-eight-year-old Hanseld Hayes, who drives a truck, said he will grab the opportunity open to the first 100,000 customers to purchase a mobile phone for his school-going daughter.
He said that his daughter has been using his old mobile phone, which has a cracked screen, while waiting for him to save up enough money to buy her a new one.
“It so happens that next month is my daughter’s 12th birthday. If possible, I want to buy her a new one, surely she will like it. With a payment of RM120, at least it won’t be a (financial) burden to me,” he said.
For 43-year-old single mother Agnes Johnson, who sells kuih in the village, the announcement proved to be a relief as she has been wanting to change her mobile phone which she has been using for the past seven years.
“The problem with my mobile phone is that it is very slow whenever I want to open an application. I’ve been wanting to change it but my already tight budget didn’t allow me to do so.
“Anyway, these days have to use Spay (Sarawak’s e-wallet application) everywhere to pay for any transactions. If your phone has a problem, the transaction may be delayed or unsuccessful. If I can change a new one, surely all transactions for my kuih business can be done more effectively and efficiently,” she said.
The first 100,000 customers from the B40 group will enjoy the 5G RAHMAH package with a mobile phone priced as low as RM120.
Meanwhile, the Civil Servant Rahmah postpaid package offers a rebate of RM10 a month for 12 months for a postpaid package valued at RM60 and above starting on Sept 16.
Ahmat Johari, a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Ulu Sungai Arip, Balingian, Selangau described the rebate as being very meaningful to teachers like him, who teach in rural areas, and hoped that the government will not limit it to just 12 months.
“This is an inclusive recognition of civil servants that also benefits those serving in Sarawak. Although the amount involved may seem small, in terms of the Malaysia MADANI spirit, it is spread throughout the whole country,” he told Bernama when contacted.
Ahmat also urged the government to expedite the improvement of coverage in rural areas with schools as the coverage is currently unstable, making it difficult for teachers to complete their tasks, especially when they have to attend virtual meetings.
“Sometimes, have to go to nearby urban areas just to get good internet coverage,” he said.
The government today announced the Civil Servant Rahmah postpaid incentive, offering a monthly rebate of RM10 to all civil servants starting from Sept 16, 2023. – BERNAMA
