I would like to strongly encourage those living in Kuching to fully utilise the establishment of the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) by the Federal Ministry of Communications, especially those wanting to get training and exposure in online entrepreneurship as well as other services offered by the Federal Government.
I really welcome and appreciate the initiative by the Federal Government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for establishing National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) all around Sarawak, particularly with the opening of these centres in Pending, Padungan and even Batu Lintang, all in the constituency of Bandar Kuching.
While this initiative was initially targeted to close the digital gap in semi-rural and rural areas, I believe such initiative will also benefit those in the urban areas especially the urban poor that may not have the asset or facilities to tap into the ever important digital world. That is why I believe that even in the urban setting such as Bandar Kuching, such facilities will bring benefit to those that need it especially the urban poor.
This initiative clearly reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to closing the digital gap and improving the standard of living of the local community by offering a wide range of services and training programmes free of charge. From high-speed internet and free computer access, e-tuition classes for core subjects like English and Mathematics, entrepreneurship workshops, digital and hands-on skills training such as cooking, sewing and gadget repair, to free health screenings– these centres provide real value to people from all walks of life.
For the year 2025, NADI targets to train at least 7,000 participants under the ‘NADIpreneur’ entrepreneurship programme, with 60% of the participants to be women as one of the key components of this programme is called “Nadi EmpowHER”. Additionally, as of March 31, 4,000 entrepreneurs have been trained under the programme, of which 3,390 are women. This is a significant and commendable step towards empowering women economically through digital tools and platforms.
The collaboration between NADI and platforms such as TikTok, Shopee, and Lazada also shows that this initiative is in tune with current trends, equipping aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools to succeed in online sales, including guidance on proper packaging and branding.
I strongly believe this initiative will benefit everyone — school children can make use of the free e-tuition services, university students can access computers and internet for their assignments, and even senior citizens will benefit from free health screenings that include blood pressure, blood sugar, and BMI tests.
This is a shining example of an inclusive and people-centric policy that provides equal opportunity for learning, growth, and contribution to society, regardless of age or background.