The National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) serves as an avenue for rural communities not only to obtain more information about various government initiatives, but also to utilise the Internet to enhance their digital literacy and entrepreneurship.
It is a collective access initiative by the Federal Government through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and implemented by participating telecommunications operators in Malaysia under the Universal Service Provision (USP) programme.
As of July 2024, there are 131 NADIs in operation in Sarawak. The centres open from 8am to 5pm daily except for public holidays, and are equipped with free Internet access, computers and other facilities including a photocopy machine, a printer and a laminating machine. They also have training rooms with projectors to facilitate training with locals.
Each NADI is managed by a manager and an assistant manager from the local community, who organise programmes and activities at the centre. According to MCMC Sarawak State Director Adiman Ajem in an interview with RAKAN Sarawak, these staff are also tasked to monitor programmes and activities conducted at NADI.
From the commission’s perspective, NADI functions as a catalyst for local economic progress. The initiative creates job opportunities for local communities; boosts online access to the global market for entrepreneurs; operates as a centre for digital and non-digital community activities; and enables online learning for students who lack Internet access in their homes.
Mr Adiman adds that NADI contributes to the overall Sarawak economy as it aligns with Sarawak Digital Economy Blueprint 2030, specifically Strategic Pillar 5: Foundation for Digital Economy in terms of human capital, entrepreneurship and inclusivity.
“NADI supports that in preparing the human resources for Sarawak’s aspirations of becoming a high-income state.
“As it establishes the availability of Internet facilities in rural areas, NADI also helps to enhance the knowledge and skills of the local community as they get ready to be part of the digital economy,” he says.
Impact on the Ground
RAKAN Sarawak visited three of these centres at Kampung Pasir Pandak and Kampung Telaga Air in Kuching, as well as Kampung Peninjau Baru in Bau. Throughout these visits, efforts have been undertaken actively to achieve NADI’s goals of:
- Collective Internet Access: Providing a platform for communities in underserved areas to benefit from the Internet and services collectively;
- Community Empowerment: Enhancing the potential and well-being of communities through holistic and sustainable smart services to bridge the digital, knowledge and socio-economic gaps in communities; and
- Dissemination of Information: Disseminating information on the latest and accurate Government initiatives to create opportunities for communities around NADI.
By way of conversations with local communities and managers of these centres, the initiative – as it continues to evolve since its establishment in the 2008 – has demonstrated its vital role in empowering rural people through programmes aimed at bridging the digital, knowledge and socio-economic divide between them and their urban counterparts.
These programmes, targeting a wide range of age groups especially students and entrepreneurs, focus on digital and non-digital areas such as information and communication technology (ICT); science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); Internet of Things (IoT); entrepreneurship; e-learning; soft skills; advocacies; and awareness.
Some of these programmes are organised in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, from universities and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions to present options for further studies, to employment service providers to provide employment opportunities and career guidance.
Andy Thompson anak Tongok, 38, has seen how his tailoring business has grown since establishing its virtual presence via Facebook, thanks to the knowledge he obtained from online entrepreneurship activities organised at NADI Kpg Peninjau Baru in Bau, as well as the support provided by its manager, Davina Elvie anak Collin, 25.
More than that, through numerous digital literacy classes catering to students and even the elderly – including typing and letter-writing with computers – the secretary of the village’s Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) Paulus Meriem anak Nadow, 62, believes that the centre has given the exposure needed for villagers to keep abreast with the essentials in information technology.
Similarly, at NADI Kpg Pasir Pandak in Kuching, Ketua Kampung Nazeri bin Idi, 57, views the centre as instrumental in providing constant Internet access to villagers there, and now no longer hears complaints of needing to buy prepaid reload cards to be able to go online.
He hopes that the project in his village continues aiding students in their learning using technology, as well as facilitating entrepreneurs’ endeavour in marketing and expanding their businesses beyond Sarawak.
NADI Users in Sarawak in Numbers
As of April 2024, there are more than 157,750 people participating in activities and utilising facilities available at NADI in Sarawak. Of these:
- 54% are women and the remaining 46% being men
- 60% of total number of users are aged between 22 and 59
In terms of programme/training participation at NADI in Sarawak:
- More than 372,684 participants have joined various programmes/training
- 3,850 micro-entrepreneurs have been trained in digital entrepreneurship programmes
Source: MCMC Sarawak State Office
