This was revealed by Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia Haji Awang Abu Bakar Bin Hj Apong, Minister of Communications in a speech at the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day celebration at the Sutera Hall of Rizqun international hotel, yesterday.
From the figure, he said, "We can speculate on a number of factors that can attribute to why more than half of the population of Brunei are not Internet users.
"Perhaps it is a lack of awareness and education, affordability or lack of content to stimulate people's interest. We are working very hard on that or maybe, just maybe, these are not the only reasons. Perhaps, the other 54% are simply not ready to try or has not learned to use technology," he added.
Stressing that readiness was important in making every investment, effort and initiative worthwhile, he highlighted, "The government of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam has put in heavy infrastructural investment. The government is also coming up with the initiative to improve and enhance service delivery to the public through e-Government initiative and programmes.
"Local content development is very much supported now with the establishment of the iCentre under the helm of the Brunei Economic Development Board. Competition has been greatly facilitated whereby choices are now available for consumers at competitive prices."
However, without readiness, he added, that the investments and efforts will be wasted.
"Without readiness, people may resist change and may also defy any learning process. As a result, they may also find these technologies and gadgets difficult to use, feel awkward to utilise them and may even be afraid to use the gadgets and equipments. What they need is support and encouragement or to embrace and learn something new."
The minister expressed, "Reciprocity is a key to success in promoting readiness and if the commitment and initiatives of the government and various supporting agencies are equally reciprocated by the public, together we will achieve a successful synergy leading to a win-win situation, greatly benefitting everyone, not just the provider but also the recipient and the industry as a whole."
"The prevalence of such problems is recognised and acknowledged. We need to face this challenge head on, though it is certainly not an easy feat. It requires commitment not just from the government and the private sectors but also importantly from the public as the target recipient and beneficiary of the investments and initiative," he added.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): James Kon and Azrol Azmi
Quelle/Source: Borneo Bulletin, 18.05.2008
