The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) will continue giving out 1Malaysia laptop computers.

In the statement today, it said that with a higher computer ownership particularly in rural areas, the broadband penetration rate nationwide would increase.

Presently, the country's broadband penetration rate is 60.3 per cent, compared with 23 per cent two years ago.

Negeri Sembilan is among the states with the highest broadband penetration rate with 73.3 per cent.

To date, the MCMC has distributed 382,950 1Malaysia laptops to selected students nationwide, including 123,500 units under phase 1 of the programme whose aim is to distribute one million laptops to eligible secondary school students.

Meanwhile, 30 students from Tampin parliamentary received their 1Malaysia laptops from Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim at SJK (Cina) Sin Min in Gemencheh near Tampin today.

Present were Works Minister Shaziman Abu Mansor who is Tampin MP and MCMC chairman Khalid Ramli.

Until June 30, the MCMC has distributed 7,700 laptops in Negeri Sembilan under phase 2 of the programme.

The MCMC will distribute 16,494 laptops in Negeri Sembilan under phase two that began in April.

- Bernama