ONLINE PETITION AGAINST POLICY

An online petition will be launched to register what people feel about a Federal policy that restricts the use of parabolic discs.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, who was clearly upset over the restriction, said the petition would serve as a platform for everyone to register and share their views on what needs to be done.

"I'm doing this as a person who is in charge of ICT and who understands the importance of ICT," said Dr Yee, who is also Resource Development and Information Technology Minister.

"It signifies the importance of freedom to access information, including that of from parabolic discs," he said after officiating at the Innovation Day 2011, here, Tuesday.

Dr Yee said the ruling only frustrates the progress of the country and does not comply with the desires of the real world and that it should be changed or better still, abolished.

"People realise the merits of ICT and innovative ideas as it illustrates the importance of freedom to access information.

"The position of the regulators of the country is not acceptable from the angle of the country's development."

Towards this end, Yee said the policy would only create a monopoly situation and does not augur well in terms of competition and freedom of information. The online petition comes on the heels of a recent crackdown by the Customs Department during which it confiscated some 193 parabolic discs worth RM200,000.

The Department's move was in accordance to a Federal policy that restricts the use of parabolic satellite discs.

"I do not accept the excuse given by the authorities that they want to dismantle the satellite discs because they do not comply with rules.

It doesn't go well with the Prime Minister's vision of the nation (of People First, Performance Now)," he added.

The website would be made available soon and the results compiled and forwarded to the relevant authorities, he said. He said the online petition will prove "how ridiculous the existing law is".

"So as a result of the majority, it will make available the parabolic dish to anyone in the country without being penalised by any rules," he added.

Meanwhile, the Innovation Day 2011 highlights the creation of winners of the Sabah Got Ideas (SGI) competition organised by the Sabah West Coast Techpreneurs Association (Sata).

Innovation Day aims to showcase the creations and innovations of local agencies and organisations and to recognise their effort towards improving their work through the use of technology. This year's Innovation Day aims to focus on the innovation of ICT.

"I hope next year everyone, including KKIPC, will come and present and share their innovations," said Dr Yee.

"I'm sure that all the staff under the Ministry and agencies would be able to make the change towards these re-branding and in line with the Ministry's tagline, "Human capital and ICT catalyst to transformation."

Among those who attended the Innovation Day 2011 are Resource Development and Information Technology Assistant Minister, Datuk Jainab Ahmad, the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Bruno Vun and staff from Sata.