Build computer centres, rep tells developers
The Star 25/7/2005 By DHARMENDER SINGH

DEVELOPERS have been urged to include a fully-equipped computer literacy centre when they build low-cost flats.

Balakong assemblyman Datuk Hoh Hee Lee said most low-cost flat occupants were low wage earners who could not afford to buy computers on their own.

“Computers used to be a luxury a decade ago,'' he said. “Today, they are necessities for education and work.''

He said the government was trying to provide such facilities for the low income earners, but because the cost of funding such centres was huge, progress was slow.

Hoh said it would be sufficient if developers built a room with about 10 to 15 computers and included in it basic equipment like printers and scanners.


Friends Haryati Hariyanto, 12 (right), and Sharah Abdul Karim, 11, getting a feel of the computer at the centre in Taman Setia Balakong recently.
“The move will help towards the Selangor government's efforts in human development,'' he said at the handing-over ceremony of the Taman Setia Balakong low-cost flats Computer Literacy Centre last week.

Developer Permodalan Negeri Selangor Bhd (PNSB) built the centre and equipped it with computers and printers worth RM60,000.

Also present during the ceremony were Kajang Municipal Council (MPKj) acting president Jamri Basni, PNSB representative Yunos Mohd Nor and Taman Setia Balakong residents association chairman Nizar Effendi Basri.

With the centre, Hoh said the 500 households had access to Information Technology. “Besides being useful for the children, the adults can also pick up computer skills,'' he said.

Jamri urged the residents to make good use of the centre and not damage the equipment in it.

“The residents association alone cannot be expected to ensure that the centre is well taken care of.''

Jamri said the association should come up with training schedules for both the adults and the children.