KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 — Improving internet access in schools nationwide is among the focus of the Communications and Digital Ministry (KKD), said its Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

He said this was due to network congestion faced by school teachers to complete their tasks online, such as via the Identity Management System (iDME).

"Insya-Allah, I will ask the MCMC (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) to look into this matter if there are any problems involving bandwidth or no internet connection (in schools),” he told reporters after distributing breakfast meals at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bangsar (Integrasi) here today.

Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai member of Parliament, also asked state MCMC offices to immediately get in touch with the ministry for long-term solutions to internet issues in schools.

"For example, there are schools near (telecommunication) towers but have no internet access. Some are also based on the point of presence programme under KKD but have not yet been completed.

"This means that every state is its own challenges, but Insya-Allah, we will start work in Kuala Lumpur to resolve this issue,” he said.

In a related development, Fahmi said that KKD will work with the Education Ministry to immediately identify schools that need to be upgraded in terms of infrastructure and facilities, as well as those facing student dropout problems.

Meanwhile, when asked about the proposed abolishment of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971, he said Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim, together with Pakatan Harapan representatives, will meet with the Higher Education Minister to discuss the matter soon. — Bernama