COMMUNICATIONS and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa has reminded PerantiSiswa Keluarga Malaysia tablet recipients not to misuse or resell the devices. 

He said students receiving the free gadgets must be responsible and take good care of them.

“I have high hopes that even though these gadgets are given on a one-off basis, every recipient will take good care of them,” he said at a media conference after attending the PerantiSiswa Keluarga Malaysia launch at UiTM Shah Alam, which was launched by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today. 

The prime minister had earlier announced during the launch that recipients would not have to return their devices when they graduate. The government had previously stated the initiative was on a loan basis and that students would need to return their devices upon completion of their studies.

Annuar also said all the devices have a two-year warranty and students can have their devices repaired or replaced should they be damaged during the period. 

He said his ministry has a complete database of device recipients to ensure those who have received their device cannot submit a second application.

“If they obtain a device during Form Six, and then further their studies to a university included in this programme, they will not need to apply again,” he said, adding that Phase 1 of the roll-out will be coordinated with all higher learning institutions in the country, including Sabah and Sarawak, to ensure all successful applicants would benefit from the programme as soon as possible. 

On failed online applications, Annuar said that the ministry would refer to student representative councils to obtain confirmation on the applicants’ family income level before approval.

He added that the distribution of devices will be done in stages although allocation has been provided, as it would allow new students who received their university offers in the second half of the year to benefit from the programme, and will allow suppliers to be able to fulfil the 400,000 units requested by the government for this year. 

He said the government has managed to implement several cost-saving measures through the open tender system, thus allowing Form Six and matriculation students to benefit from this programme.

Higher Education Minister Noraini Ahmad expressed hope during the launch that the programme can be expanded to benefit all 1.6 million students in more than 600 higher learning institutions throughout the country. 

She said her ministry would in the long term detail the requirement for a device and internet access as an area of focus in the National Higher Education Digitisation Plan. – Bernama, September 3, 2022.