32 Penang NADI Centres Completed - Zairil

GEORGE TOWN, Sept 9 (Bernama) -- A total of 32 of the 38 new National Information Dissemination Centers (NADI) in Penang have been completed and begun operations.

State Infrastructure, Transport and Digital Committee Chairman Zairil Khir Johari said this makes 35 NADIs including three which are already operating with six remaining centres expected to be completed by the end of this month.

"Compared to other states, Penang was fast to complete all NADIs from the time the announcement was made by Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) early this year, whereby he wanted to establish 38 NADIs in Penang.

"Usually when making an announcement, it takes a long time (to be completed) but this time it was quick. In just a few months, 32 out of 38 have been completed. By the end of this year, the total number of NADIs in Penang will be 41 with each state assembly having one NADI. That is what the prime minister promised," he said at the launch of the Tanjong Bungah NADI, here today.

Present were the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) Director for Penang, Mohd Fitri Hashim and the Local Government Division's Divisional Secretary, Muhammad Husni Mahmud.

According to Zairil, NADI Tanjong Bungah is the first such centre to be officially launched on the island while NADI Sungai Dua will be launched on Sept 12, to serve the Seberang Perai area.

Commenting further, he said the new NADI centre would be monitored and facilitated by the state government through the Penang NADI Implementation and Operation Special Committee, whose roles are to monitor the progress of its construction so that it can be completed according to the set time.

He said this includes looking at and ensuring that the programs run at NADI do not overlap with programs organised by Digital Penang and Local Authorities.

"This committee will meet on a quarterly basis to ensure the objectives and targets of NADI can be achieved and enjoyed by all local residents," he said.

Zairil added that the programs offered at NADI were also revamped in stages and focused on five main cores which are Entrepreneurship, Lifelong Learning, Self-Wellbeing, Awareness and Government Initiatives to empower the community as well as ensure access and equal opportunities for the local community while addressing their specific needs.

"With this plan, the people of Penang, including those in Tanjong Bungah, can enjoy the services offered at NADI through the reorganisation of the programs," he said.

On Feb 16, Anwar announced the construction and operation of 38 new NADIs in Penang, which was then known as the Digital Economy Center (PEDi) with an allocation of RM47 Million.

--BERNAMA