KOTA KINABALU: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Haji Hajiji Haji Noor has directed  the State Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI) to closely monitor the  installation of telecommunication towers under phase one of the National Digital Network  (JENDELA) project in Sabah. 

"Phase two of JENDELA will be rolled out next year, but the contractor's performance is  still much to be desired," he said after his working visit to the Ministry at Wisma  Bandaraya here today. 

The Chief Minister was briefed by the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia  Commission (MCMC) that only 217 of the 382 towers or 57 per cent under JENDELA  phase one, have been completed in Sabah. 

Of the 217 completed towers, only 63 per cent is fully operational. 

Hajiji said the State MOSTI and MCMC must ensure works are completed according to  schedule. 

He warned that the State Government would not be hesitant to take action if there is no  improvement in the project's performance. 

Hajiji was also briefed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Datuk Hanafiah Mohd  Kassim on efforts to reduce unemployment through training based on job placement as  well as to attract more students into science, technology, engineering and mathematics  (STEM). 

"I want the ministry to concentrate on STEM in line with the demand of the Fourth  Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0). 

"We do not want to be left behind hence the ministry needs to play its role as the state's  main proponent of science and technology," he said. 

Present at the briefing were Deputy Chief Minister II/Minister of Local Government and  Housing Datuk Seri Panglima Dr Joachim Gunsalam, Minister of Science, Technology  and Innovation Datuk Ariffin Arif, Finance Minister Datuk Seri Panglima Masidi Manjun,  Rural Development Minister Datuk Jahid Jahim, State Secretary Datuk Seri Panglima  Sr Safar Untong and assistant ministers. 

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