Tuesday, October 23, 2001
‘Test bed’ project to be implemented in USJ 18By YIP
YOKE TENG
The SJ2005 Smart Comm-unity Programme, initiated under the
Strategic Thrust Implementation Committee chair-ed by Deputy Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has been launched in USJ
18.
The committee plans to make Subang Jaya into an IT-based
community.
The “test bed” project for SJ2005, the USJ 18 IT Awareness
Campaign, was launched on Saturday at a new ICT Centre there.
The awareness campaign includes the setting up of the ICT Centre,
installation of electronic-enabled security system and other
IT-related activities.
The National IT Council (NITC) had earlier granted RM1.124mil to
the community for this project under its Demonstrator Applica-tion
Grant Scheme.
Microsoft Corp’s corporate philanthropy and community affairs
arm, Microsoft Foundation Campaign, donated RM136,000 worth of
software and hardware. Mimos is sponsoring 60 units of smart alarms
at a subsidised rate of RM500 each. The Media Shoppe is developing
USJ18’s portal.
Present at the launch were chairman of USJ18 e-Neighbourhood
Watch Raymond Tan, Microsoft Sdn Bhd central marketing organisation
director Alex Fong, National IT Council programme manager for SJ2005
Agnes Ng, Mimos’ project manager for Smart Home Alarm System Mohd
Rawedean and MPSJ municipal councillor Steven Chong.
“IT drew the residents’ attention last year, thus we approached
NITC for the grant and they were impressed with our suggestion,” Tan
said.
He said the grant had to be used between August and next July,
adding that the ICT Centre alone needed about RM250,000.
“Two years ago, USJ 18 organised its neighbourhood watch.
“Since then, many other housing areas emulated us and now there
are 10 neighbourhood watch teams in USJ.
“SJ2005 has the potential to become a national project, and we
appeal for residents participation so that USJ 18 can take the lead
and make history again,” Tan said, adding that the website for SUJ18
would be uploaded on to the Internet before the launch of SJ2005 in
November.
Ng said USJ 18 was chosen for the pioneer project due to its
“track record of unified and committed community and the excellence
shown in the success of our neighbourhood watch”.
She pointed out that the success tools for SJ2005 was the
participation of the (government, private sector and community) as
well as a “change of mindset”.
On the grant that was established two years ago, she said it was
for innovative IT projects.
“So far, RM50mil had been spent to fund 48 projects,” she said.
Ng said the first cyber community library in USJ 18 would also be
set up by the end of the year.
Fong said a comprehensive series of software had been installed
into the computers, adding that the software could make learners
realise that computer “is more than just a word typing tool or a
games machine”.
Microsoft Windows XP to be launched in September and Microsoft
Office XP introduced in June this year are among the software
donated.
Rawedean said the homes would be equipped with Bestari Home Smart
Alarm System first. The alarm can store four telephone numbers that
will be contacted in case of break-ins.
“Under the second phase, the alarm system will be hooked up to
the USJ 18 portal so that residents will be informed even via the
Internet,” he added.
On residents’ response, Tan said 170 residents had registered for
the computer classes.
The classes are conducted by fellow volunteer residents on
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There are three sessions
daily and each session lasts two hours.
Participants need to only pay RM20 for registration and for their
learning materials such as books.
The ICT Centre is at No 51, Jalan USJ18/2C, USJ. For enquiries
and registrations, call Tan 012-299 7992 or email
tantc@pc.jaring.my.
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