Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s (MCMC) announcement yesterday that the RM200 rebate is only applicable to smartphones priced below RM500 has kicked up a storm of criticism on cyberspace.

MCMC yesterday announced on their website five specific criteria for the RM200 rebate on smartphones, including the RM500 price cap for the smartphones.

NONEOne blogger Pradeesh raised his concerns on the matter in his blog post yesterday, saying that the RM500- smartphones are "pretty much weak and cheap" and that the price limit of the smartphones should be raised to RM1,000.

He complained that such phones are mostly outdated versions of Android with unsatisfactory touch screens.

Pradeesh suggested that Malaysia should come up with its own smartphones especially for the rebate program by pairing up with a manufacturer to create it.

NONE"Frankly speaking, I would love to see a phone which is made in Malaysia… We can have more local tailored applications and local developers may have an option of having their application being hosted in 1Malaysia App Store (suppose if it exists)," he posted.

Twittersphere has also been aflurry with criticism and jokes for example through hashtag #1MsiaPhone and #PakejKomunikasiBelia, especially on the RM500 cap.

William Lee: Only pre-approved devices costing under RM500; what brand can you get? Even a Samsung Mini2 sells for more than RM500.

Al-Hafiz Ahamd: The Youth Communications Package is only for smartphones priced RM500 and below; what phones are you going to buy with that? The Blackberry is not a smartphone, I’m sorry.

Asyraf ‘TPK’ Fadzlee: Youths' hopes of getting a SGS3 or iPhone 5 were crushed to bits when the conditions of the Youth Communications Package was released.

Do you want a Curve 8520? Don’t worry kids… we still have more smartphones under RM500 such as CSL, Huawei, eh wait, HTC and BB (Blackberry) are budget- friendly too.

Effi Obefiend: A RM500 smartphone… is that the price limit? It’s obvious that the policy makers of the Youth Communication Package have a Blackberry agenda.

The 1Malaysia phone probably comes with all the phone numbers of Jabatan Menteri (the ministries) and your local MPs.

This is actually a good feature that is beneficial. But you cannot install anti-Automated Enforcement System (AES) applications because this is against government policy.

Awang Ilyas: In other news, Blackberry stocks traded slightly higher today due to the announcement of Youth Communications Package.

Luqman the Human: 1Malaysia Phone would have a special app (application) where you can paste photos of (prime minister) Najib (Razak) and (prime minister's wife) Rosmah onto your photos to make it look cooler.

Mohd.rabbani.afiq: With the 1Malaysia phone, if you set up a Twitter account you will automatically be set to follow Najib Razak’s Twitter.

Muhd Shafiq Hassim: The ringtone: Umno song, the default wallpaper: Najib’s photo, available colours will be red, blue, yellow and white only.

Chan Chun Yeen: If you apply the filter in Instagram on 1Malaysia phone, Rosmah will appear in the middle of the photo no matter what.

Shibli Nuqman: If one were to watch (PKR de-facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim’s talk using the smartphone, then a warning message will be displayed saying that the RM200 rebate will be retracted. Please pay at the nearest post office.  

Toon Seri Anthraxxxx: If all ministers have to use the Proton Perdana during (former PM) Dr Mahathir’s time, then all ministers have to use 1Malaysia phones during Jibby’s (Najib’s) 1Malaysia reign.

Ikhwan Nazri: After five years of development 1Malaysia Phone will collaborate with Proton and Perodua to produce logarithm for cars to evade potholes.

RAM: (The phones should have)  an auto diall the cops facility when it senses bad texting about Umno or BN government.

MohdFikhriUjang: The 1Malaysia phone will auto-correct all SMS into sensational newspaper headlines.

Syed Azral Salim: The 1Malaysia phone will be certified halal by Jakim.

Erin Mohamed: You must shout Rosmah to unlock the phone.

Ong Boon Piow: What smartphone can you buy with RM500? A Galaxy Jib or iRosmah? Get an iRosmah to receive the RM200 rebate. This is really a stupid year-end idea exclusive from BN.

RM200 rebate only for smartphones below RM500