KOTA KINABALU: Broadband coverage in Sabah should be improved, especially in the face of Covid-19, said state Youth Council permanent chairman Mazlan Joe Manan.
"The limited broadband penetration in Sabah will affect the government efforts to encourage digital businesses and government services.
"It is hoped that the government would continue to expedite broadband network development in the state," he said in a statement in response to the Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, yesterday.
The 40-initiative plan includes providing free internet, encouraging micro businesses and small and medium enterprises to be in the e-commerce platform and digitalising their operations, and online shopping, among others.
He said the emphasis on digital operation for many initiatives could help maintain contactless transactions and social distancing to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Apart from that, Mazlan said the younger generation welcomes the initiative, which is planned to spur the nation's economy and help those affected by Covid-19 in sustaining their livelihoods.
"Our concern on the growing number of unemployment and more businesses closing down were addressed with the three-month extension of the Wage Subsidy Programme.
"The Staff Hiring Incentive Programme will encourage businesses to re-recruit retrenched workers, reducing unemployment rate," he said, adding many youngsters are involved in the tourism sector which is severely affected by the global health crisis.
Muhyiddin had also announced a RM2 billion allocation for training and upskilling youths and those unemployed, to help them stay relevant as the country recovers from the pandemic.