Teo grades Annuar an 'F' for inefficiency in delivering tablets

A DAP lawmaker has demanded the government explain why only less than one percent, or 2,764 units of tablets, out of 350,000 promised under the PerantiSiswa programme was delivered to B40 students by the end of September.

At a press conference today, Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching gave Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa an “F” grade for his inefficiency in fulfilling the government's pledge to deliver 350,000 units of tablets to the students.

"I received a parliamentary reply from Annuar, who said that as of Sept 23, a total of 2,764 students have received tablets under PerantiSiswa. The minister also said the cost for 350,000 tablets was about RM385 million.

"However, in his tabling of Budget 2022, Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said 600,000 units of tablets would be given, in which the government would channel a total of RM450 million while telecommunication companies would give RM65 million,” Teo said.

The former deputy education minister questioned why there was a discrepancy between the figures given by Annuar and Zafrul.

"The worst part is that the government only delivered 2,764 units of tablets out of 350,000 promised. This is less than one percent of total tablets.

"If we were to give a grading on the efficiency of the communications minister, it will definitely be a big F," she added.

"It appears that the government is not serious about its pledges in the budget. How can we trust the (upcoming) budget?"

"I would like both Annuar and Zafrul to provide an explanation as to why the allocation and number of tablets were reduced,” Teo said.

Announced during Budget 2022 last year, the PerantiSiswa programme provides 600,000 tablets to students from B40 families.

However, in a parliamentary reply dated Oct 3, Annuar said a total of 2,764 students received the tablets.

"The PerantiSiswa initiative involves a total cost of RM385,310,057.00 for the distribution of 350,000 tablets.

"Each tablet comes with genuine accessories such as keyboard, stylus pen, case, two-year warranty, post-sales support service and manufacturer's device management software," the minister said in a parliamentary reply.

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