MELAKA, Malaysia - January 28, 2003 - Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Haji Mohd. Ali bin Mohd Rustam today signed a strategic technology relationship agreement with local consortium Paneagle Holdings and Cisco Systems Malaysia to mark the completion of phase one of the Melaka Statewide Broadband Network. This makes Melaka the first state government in the country to be equipped with the latest wireless-fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology.
The completion of phase one of the Melaka Statewide Broadband Network marks the first milestone of the '2003 Year of ICT (Information and Communications Technology) for the State of Melaka (e-Melaka)' campaign, which was launched by the Melaka state government on January 14. The campaign aims to drive the use of ICT throughout the state government. Paneagle Holdings is building the Melaka Statewide Broadband Network primarily with equipment from Cisco Systems.
According to Tuan Hj Ahmad Zaini bin Japar, group executive chairman of Paneagle Holdings Berhad, phase one links the capital of Melaka, Seri Negeri, with the Melaka K-Ekonomi Incubator and the corporate offices at Taman Tasik Utama. This phase involved the deployment of secure broadband wireless networks using Cisco 802.11b wireless local-area network (WLAN) products and technology.
"In addition to providing the broadband and WLAN technology for e-Melaka, Cisco will be equipping the state government with its network security solutions for the WLAN, including firewalls, VPN components and IP telephony solutions, which will enable the delivery of voice, video and data over an end-to-end Cisco infrastructure," said Ir. Shailen Gajera, chief technical officer of Paneagle Holdings.
Phase two of the Melaka Statewide Broadband Network will involve the expansion of the wireless network to all government-agency buildings throughout the state, from Ayer Keroh to Bandar Melaka and other locations.
"Paneagle chose Cisco as our technology provider because it has a proven track record. We are confident of their strengths, both at a business and a technical level, in providing the infrastructure, technology, solutions and value-added services that deliver best-in-class reliability, performance and scalability," said Tuan Hj Ahmad Zaini. "This is critical if the network is to grow in line with the state government's vision of becoming a technologically advanced state by 2010."
"Cisco is very pleased to be selected by the Melaka state government and Paneagle Holdings as the networking technology provider for the e-Melaka network. The agreement underscores the quality and strength of the business relationships that we have established with local organizations such as Paneagle. We hope this collaboration will spur the state government towards its vision of becoming an advanced state by 2010," said Johnson Khoo, managing director, Cisco Systems Malaysia.
About Paneagle Holdings
Paneagle Holdings Berhad (Paneagle), incorporated in Malaysia in 1996, has a vision to become a premier technology powerhouse with a business focus in the Engineering & Construction (E&C) industry as well as the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. Paneagle develops and integrates cutting edge technologies into engineering and ICT projects that improve living standards of the rakyat as envisioned by Malaysia's honorable Prime Minister.
