SOME 2,000 Orang Asli of the Temiar tribe residing in the interior of Gua Musang, Kelantan, are calling on the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to continue the Pelan Jalinan Digital Negara (Jendela), which provides broadband connection in rural areas, to ensure connectivity there, reported Utusan Malaysia.

The residents of Pos Simpor, Pos Gob and Pos Bihai claimed that the plan, which began in January last year, will end in January 2024.

Mulian Alok, 51, of Kampung Bihai Lam, said the service is the only way for his fellow Orang Asli residents in the rural areas to stay connected as there are no phone lines.

“We hope MCMC can increase the Internet quota for us as many residents in the rural areas do have mobile phones and sometimes the network is poor,” he said, adding that there are more than 700 residents in the area who need better telecommunication connectivity.

Meanwhile, teacher Malina Jasmin, 35, said the Jendela service has been particularly helpful to teaching students in Pos Gob.

The Internet, she added, is also used for educational purposes at the Pos Gob community centre.

> Over 12 billion illicit cigarettes are smuggled into the local market from Thailand yearly, resulting in some RM5bil in losses per annum, according to a report by Harian Metro.

It quoted a security source based in Sadao as saying that the contraband could enter the Malaysian market due to devious syndicates, weak enforcement and partly to an “inside job”.

He said containers were modified to ensure passage through the free trade zone.

“The trailers carrying containers would be declared as empty and able to pass through the security gate without much hassle with the help of security personnel on duty,” the source told the Malay daily.

“The front part of the container would be modified with a wall erected at the quarter of the container to hide the goods. If the auxiliary police checked the container, it would look as though it was empty,” the source added.

The trailers would then transport the containers to a godown outside the free trade zone, from where they would be despatched to different vehicles.