Students Selling PerantiSiswa Tablets Will Face Action, K-KOMM Can Block Tablets From Use

Other punitive actions include naming and shaming the individuals on the PerantiSiswa website and notifying their universities.

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Those pursuing their tertiary education have received free tablets under PerantiSiswa, a programme aimed at helping B40 students obtain the device to aid their studies.

However, there were reports that some of the PerantiSiswa recipients didn’t need the free Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 tablets and had been trying to sell them online below the market rate.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa confirmed that some of these cases were true and warned that action would be taken against those involved.

Among the action being explored includes displaying their names on the PerantiSiswa portal and notifying their universities.

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry (K-KOMM) stated that there were 14 related cases and some of the tablets have been blocked from use.

14 kes berkaitan jual Peranti Siswa diterima dengan beberapa peranti terlibat telah disekat – Kementerian Komunikasi dan Multimedia
— Mohd Redzuan Abdul Manap (@redzuanNewsMPB) October 25, 2022

Annuar explained that the tablets under PerantiSiswa are preloaded with a feature to track recipients, whether they were in the university or at another location.

The same applications will help the ministry track whether the tablets have been sold.

When questioned about the “tracking system,” he explained that it was merely a safety feature in case the device is lost or missing and it’s a standard offering on most devices today.

He added that the use of the feature is up to the individual and there’s no intention to ‘spy’ on the recipients.

Soya Cincau guessed that the tracking system could be Samsung’s Find My Mobile feature, which allows users to locate their device even when it’s offline.

The PerantiSiswa tablet bundle includes the keyboard, cover, and stylus. Image: TRP File

Annuar hoped that PerantiSiswa recipients would stop selling the tablets if they had no use for them.

He also said those attempting to sell the tablets could be in violation of the “akujanji” pledge they signed when they received the tablets.

I hope this (sale) will stop soon … I’m deeply disappointed with the recipients of the tablets who had the nerve to sell the devices openly online … I don’t think it’s appropriate as they are not meant for sale.
Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa

What now?

Despite the minor setback, Annuar assured everyone that the distribution of the tablets to B40 students will not slow down.

He explained that he has his own personal KPI to ensure the approved tablets reach students by the end of November. He doesn’t want the PerantiSiswa programme to drag on like other programmes which can take more than two years to complete.

Meanwhile, Free Malaysia Today reported that K-KOMM is looking into the possibility of implementing a buy-back policy for recipients to sell the tablets back to the government if they no longer needed the gadget.

Annuar said having a buy-back policy is better than having the students sell the tablets at a lower price.

An example of a sales post online is believed to be posted by a PerantiSiswa recipient. Image: TRP File

According to Soya Cincau, the PerantiSiswa tablet bundle including the keyboard, cover, and stylus, has an estimated market value between RM1,700 to RM1,800.

Annuar believes the PerantiSiswa tablets are being sold below market price to ensure a quick sale.

While K-KOMM is taking steps to curb the sale of the tablets, members of the public are advised not to purchase PerantiSiswa tablets because it is never meant for sale.

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