A Rural Ripple...

A noble idea, a simple start, big sustainable goals...

42 rural internet centres (RIC) or more known locally as "pusat-pusat internet desa" (PID) made history last November by collectively organizing over 350 entrepreneurial-centric activities during the full week of inaugural Global Entrepreneurship Week campaign (17-23 NOV 2008), as participated by thousands of organizations in 77 countries. Together with just a hundred shy partners of the Malaysian host, Warisan Global Sdn Bhd for "the Week", they helped propelling Malaysia to become the most active country in the world in terms of number of activities, besides the two countries of the organizing hosts, the United States and the United Kingdom.

As one of the 222 parliamentary districts in Malaysia, and a centre to one of the five of the state administrative districts of Penang, Balik Pulau is lucky to also host one of these 42 PIDs, or the only one in the island of Penang, or one of the only two in the state of Penang, the other one being in Tasek Gelugor, Seberang Perai on the Malaysian peninsula mainland.

Eight years in existence (since 2000), or five years in Balik Pulau (since 2003), only 1% of the Malaysian population, or about 300,000 individuals have benefitted directly from services offered by these PIDs, specifically via the basic ICT training sessions held on periodic basis at respective outlets or during various roadshows. Still, with a membership base nearly 50,000 nationwide, or over a thousand in Balik Pulau (pop: ~60,000) alone, PID network is poised to become an impactful force in bridging the digital divide and elevating social and economic status of respective communities. In fact, there have even been suggestions this year for the KTAK ministry to establish similar IT centres in each of the 222 parliamentary districts, over five times more in number based on existing network of PIDs.

About the programme:

The Pusat Internet Desa (PID) or Rural Internet Centre project, not to be confused with Medan Info Desa (MID), is a telecentre project initiated in April 2000 by the Ministry of Energy, Water, and Communication (MEWC/KTAK) of Malaysia -- MID on the other had, is a rural development program initiated by the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKLW) with at least 26 known centres, 19 of which are in the state of Terengganu.

The PID programme is currently being contracted by the ministry for a period of three years starting 2008 for facilicitation by Warisan Global Sdn Bhd, a Kuala Lumpur based company. Previously, MSD Technology Sdn Bhd, a Puchong-based company was assigned the task.

The following information is provided by Zulfikar from Warisan Global:

As of 2006, 42 centres have been established nationwide, in every state of Malaysia, except the Federal Territories and each centre is managed by two people, a manager and an assistant manager. It is one of the Malaysian Government’s initiatives to bridge the Digital Divide between the rural and urban communities through community-shared facilities with computers and internet access.

Typically, a PID is housed in an annex building of a Post Office specially built for the purpose in partnerships with the Pos Malaysia Berhad. Each PID usually has 5-7 computers, a printer, and internet connection. Recently, in 2008, under the PID improvement project all of them have received additional two notebooks, a projector, a fax machine, two webcams, and wireless equipment from MEWC.

PID offers various services including computer and internet access, basic ICT trainings, and development of local websites or blogs. A few of them have also started providing various e-services for the community. A number of ICT activities have also been conducted from time to time such as the community day with PID, workshops, and seminars. Thus far, the PID programme has increased the awareness and literacy of the rural community on Information and Communication Technology, increased access to the technology, and provided some digital opportunities.



PID program is now embarking on a mission to develop vibrant communities whereby learning and networking activities using PID facilities becomes a second nature for the communities and part of the KPI of this phase of the project is towards sustainability. To achieve its mission, PIDs implements social entrepreneurship principles and processes as well as participatory approach in community development. It is envisaged that with continuous support and trainings, the PIDs will eventually become sustainable by 2010 and create significant impact for the advancement of the communities.

Ultimately, the PID telecentre movement will be connected into the national, regional as well as the global telecentre network.

About PID Balik Pulau:

PID Balik Pulau started its operation in 2003, situated next to the post office at Jalan Besar (Main Road), near the main Kongsi town, at the centre of Balik Pulau.



Equipments available at this centre include:-

• 10 desktop computers sponsored by Dell and local communities.
  
• 2 laptop computers
  
• Streamyx broadband internet access sponsored by TM Berhad.
  
• 4 printers: 2 laser printers, 1 all-in-one printer, 1 bubble-jet printer
  
• a photocopy machine
  
• a computer scanner
  
• a digital camera
  
• a binding maching
  
• a laminating maching
  
• a fax machine
  
• an LCD projector with screen
  
• a set of 100W computer speakers
  
• other computer accessories

Services offered include:-

• Use of computer with Internet access. (Free for members)
  
• Basic ICT training - Introduction to Computer and Introduction to Microsoft Office Applications - Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Frontpage
  
• Web applications training - e-government, e-banking, e-learning and e-procurement (eperolehan)
• Digital/multimedia content development - web, blog and digital storytelling etc.
  
• Management of community programmes
  
• Registration of Business and/or ePerolehan service
• Office services - photostat, fax, laminate, bind etc.
• Computer maintenance, repair and supplies
  
• Marketing supplies - rubber stamp, banner and miscellaneous advertising.
• Consultation on ICT & Entrepreneurship matters
  

The centre opens daily on weekdays (Mon-Fri) from 9 am until 6 pm. It also opens on Saturday from 9 am until 12 noon during special class sessions (except on first weekend of every month).

PID Balik Pulau is currently supervised by Siti Huraizah binti Abdul Rahman (Ija). Visit PIDBP today, and tell Ija that Balik Pulau blog sends you ;)


SOURCES / FURTHER READINGS:

1. PID Balik Pulau (in Malay) by Siti Huraizah as posted at pid.net.my on Jun 18, 2008
2. Pusat Internet Desa (Rural Internet Centre/Telecentre) in Malaysia" by Zulfickar of Warisan Global as posted at telecentre.org on Oct 7, 2008
3. Our Network - Pos Malaysia Berhad.
4. Global Entrepreneurship Week/Malaysia
5. KTAK Videos. Malaysian Ministry of Energy, Water and Communication
   
6. ICT developments in Malaysia - KTAK’s view. Interview with Dato Dr. Halim Man I4Donline.net. Feb 7, 2007