Selangor exco Rodziah Ismail today urged the government to consider providing free Internet access to the people instead of the RM50 million email system as touted earlier this week.

Saying this today in a statement, the Batu Tiga state assemblyperson in charge of welfare, women’s affairs, science, technology, innovation and culture said it is as if the government  not aware that what a large proportion of the rakyat lack is something even more basic than an e-mail.

“Even if they give it for free, how are people who want free emails to use if the basic item needed for email access, that is, Internet access, has not been provided?” asked Rodziah.

She also cited reports that Tricubes Bhd, the company chosen to set up the RM50 million free email system, is in the red with Bursa Malaysia.

“How can a company with financial problems be successful with such a project?” Rodziah asked.

Once again, she said, the BN-led federal government has gone about a project in an ad hoc, hurried and unplanned manner.

“I call upon all Malaysians to raise and pressure the government to stop this 1Malaysia Email project, and to press the government to provide Internet facilities as being carried out by the Pakatan Rakyat (Selangor) government if the (federal) government indeed puts people first’.”