KUANTAN – A total of 191 telecommunication towers will be built across Pahang next year to improve internet connection and coverage in the state, said Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail. 

He said priority will be given to rural and interior areas, as the need for it has become more urgent since start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

"We have no choice but to improve internet connection and coverage as it has become a new norm. Much of learning and working is happening at home so as to curb the spread of Covid-19.

"Besides erecting new towers, we also plan to upgrade the internet speed to 5G in stages,” he said after a virtual handing out the Learning Incentive for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) Candidates 2020 event in Wisma Sri Pahang, here, today.

Wan Rosdy said 19,254 candidates in Pahang received the incentive of RM50 each, involving a total of RM962,700, to help them prepare for the examination.

The recipients of the contribution which started this year, comprise students of government-aided schools, government-aided religious schools, state public religious schools, public religious secondary schools and tahfiz schools.

Wan Rosdy said the state government is able to give the incentive as it is in a strong financial position, with the incentive to continue next year with the possibility that the amount might be increased, depending on the state’s financial situation. 

He said the state government also contributed RM100 each to 24,738 children who will start their Year One school session next year, while through Yayasan Pahang, RM500 was given to Pahang-born students offered to continue their studies at higher education institutions.