This study thoroughly examines the development and advancement of Internet centres in Malaysia, with a specific focus on the Northwest Coast of Sabah and their roles and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilising a comprehensive mixed-methods research approach, including participatory observation, text analysis, questionnaires, and in-depth interviews, the research engaged 13 informants and 133 diverse respondents. The compelling findings clearly show that Malaysia's Internet centres, established through long-term government plans in collaboration with various entities, were well-established before the pandemic and effectively achieved their intended objectives. However, critical issues such as limited awareness of their presence and remote locations have significantly hindered their effectiveness as practical communication tools and drivers of community socioeconomic development. During the pandemic, these centres struggled to fulfil their role as providers of free internet services and devices, greatly impacting residents who depend on them for virtual activities. The study conclusively presents strong recommendations aimed at optimizing digital communication and Internet centres to enhance rural community socioeconomic development and digital integration into the national landscape.
Ab Halim, A., & Noor, M. M. (2023). Assessing rural community empowerment through community internet centre: Using asset mapping and surveys method. JOIV: International Journal on Informatics Visualization, 7(1), 265-272.
Abdul Malek, J., Ahmad, A. R., & Awang, M. M., & Alfitri. (2014). Symbiotic relationship between telecentre and lifelong learning for rural community development: A Malaysian experience. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology-TOJET, 13(3), 148-155.
Abu Hassan, M. (2008). Memanfaat teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi ICT untuk semua. Serdang: Penerbit Universiti Putera Malaysia.
Asian Development Bank. (2017). Public ICT centre for rural development: Inclusiveness,
sustainability, and impact. http://dx.doi.org/10.22617/TCS178927-2
Jawing, E., Januin, J., Atin, V. P., Kamlun, K., Storey, J. M., & Tanalol, S. H. (2024). Digital poverty and inequality during the Covid-19 pandemic in Keningau, Sabah. In K. Y. Hooi, K. Ganesan & A. R. Govindasamy (Eds.), Social and Political Deglobalisation: Covid-19, Conflict, and Uncertainties in Malaysia (pp. 169-185). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore.
Lee, C. E. C., Leow, S. W. Y., & Kong, X. J. (2020). The use of mobile technologies for learning in higher education: Students' readiness. SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research, 107-127.
Mohd Noor, M. & Ambali, A. R (2014). The significant roles of internet centre (information providers) to rural community in Malaysia. Journal of Administrative Science, 11(2), 35-55.
MyGOV - the Government of Malaysia’s official portal. (n.d.).
https://www.malaysia.gov.my/portal/content/30631
Nordin, A. S. M., Alias, B. S., & Mahamod, Z. (2023). Pendigitalan pendidikan. Jurnal Penyelidikan Pendidikan dan Teknologi Malaysia, 1(1), 66-73.
Shahkat Ali, M. S. (2006, August 8-9). ICT: Peranan dan Potensi dalam Pembangunan Pelajar. [Paper presentation]. NASDEC 2006 Persidangan Pembangunan Pelajar Peringkat Kebangsaan Pelajar 2006, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Abdul Razak, M. N. (2015) Rancangan Malaysia Kesebelas (2016-2020): Pertumbuhan berpaksikan rakyat. Percetakan Nasional Malaysia Berhad.
https://www.pmo.gov.my/dokumenattached/speech/files/RMK11_Ucapan.pdf
Salman, A. (2021). Media dependency, interpersonal communication, and panic during the COVID-19 movement control order. SEARCH Journal of Media and Communication Research, 13(1), 79-91.
Sulaiman, A., Jaafar, N. I., & Jani, R. (2010). Diffusion of information communication technology (ICT) through the rural internet centre: The Malaysian experience. International Journal of Innovation and Technology Management, 7(02), 129-143.
Tahir, Z., Abdul Malek, J., & Ibrahim, M. A. (2016). Developing smart ICT in rural communities in Malaysia through the establishment of telecenters. e-Bangi Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 11 (1), 227-242.
Talib, A., Yusof, M. N., & Md Zan, Z. (2017). Pembangunan luar bandar melalui penerapan teknologi maklumat dan komunikasi: Kajian di Daerah Kubang Pasu, Kedah. Journal of Advanced Research in Social and Behavioural Research Sciences, 9(3), 36-49.
Unit Pemodenan Tadbiran dan Perancangan Pengurusan Malaysia (MAMPU) (2019), https://profit.mampu.gov.my/.
Yakin, H. S. M., Yahcob, O., & Januin, J. (2021). Fungsi dan implikasi pusat internet terhadap masyarakat luar bandar di Sabah dalam era pandemik Covid-19: The functions and implications of internet centre among the rural community in Sabah during the era of Covid-19 pandemic. MANU Jurnal Pusat Penataran Ilmu dan Bahasa, 32(1).
Yusop, N. I., Zahurin Mat Aji, Z., Ibrahim, H., Abd. Razak, R., & Sheik Osman. W. R. (2007). Rural internet centre (RIC) as catalysts for building knowledge-based society: The case of northern states of Malaysia. In D. Schuler (Ed.), Online Communities and Social Computing, (pp. 485–490). Germany: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
