Malaysians enrol text messages for democracy
Published: 02 Sep 2003 10:20 BST
Malaysians will soon be able to use text messages to verify voting information and book intercity bus tickets, according to official news agency Bernama.
Mobile phone users in Malaysia can use SMS to verify their voting information, such as the parliamentary and state constituencies where they will be voting at, as well as from using traditional forms of communication like letters, telephone and Internet.
Users simply text message their identification card (IC) number to the election commission and receive the required information in reply. RM$1 (£0.17) is charged for each verification done through SMS, said the report.
The new verification service is a collaboration between the commission and Langkah Teknologi Sdn Bhd (LTSB), a mobile IT solution services and wireless communication firm.
The commission decided to launch the service nationwide after the trial run in Pahang's Ketari by-election in March last year, said Commission secretary Wan Ahmad Wan Omar in the report.
"There are about 10 million people using hand phones in the country and they can deal direct with the Election Commission from anywhere regardless of time to check their status," Wan Ahmad continued.
Additionally, mobile phone users can use SMS to book intercity bus tickets starting from September. The country's Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board (CVLB) is in the final stage of formulating SMS codes for the service, said a separate report by Bernama.
Users can request for information on bus schedule, ticket prices and departure terminals using text messaging. Furthermore, users can text message their complaints against bus companies, said CVLB's chairman, Raja Ahmad Zainuddin Raja Omar.
All mobile phone users will be able to use the new service except users of cellular network Adam 017, said the report.
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