University SainsMalaysia
- USM Uses Digital Planetarium to Make Astronomy Attractive to Public
- First Online Braille Tutorial System
- USM Develops Software Application for Testing Soil Strenght and Gradient
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Public Universities
University Sultan Zainal Abidin
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Faster way to scan fingerprints
JOHOR BARU: Visitors to Malaysia coming through the Causeway and the second link will be assured of faster immigration clearance from today as they no longer have to alight their vehicles to have their fingers scanned under the biometric fingerprint scanning system.
They just have to sit back in their vehicles as the scanners at the Immigration booths could be extended to reach the hand of every passenger and driver for them to have their fingers scanned while Immigration officers on duty will verify and stamp their passports as usual.
Immigration personnel have been working around the clock this week to extend the cables connecting every scanner and computer system by 1.7 metres to enable them to be pulled out to reach every vehicle.
Immigration director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad said the hassle-free measure would significantly reduce the time needed for Immigration clearance.
To facilitate the process, Immigration officer will be stationed outside each booth to supervise the scanning process and assist visitors who are new to the system.
"These are among the proactive measures we have adopted in preparation for a possible influx of visitors during the weekends and public holidays. It will be implemented from today."
The security system is being implemented at 96 entry points natiowide from June 1 to curb transboundary crime and terrorist threats.
Previously, foreigners only had to have their passports stamped to enter Malaysia.
Last weekend, the system was too slow to cope with the influx of visitors from Singapore in conjunction with the republic's school holidays.
This slowed down immigration clearance at both the checkpoints at the Sultan Iskandar Building at the Causeway and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex at the second link.
The long and slow traffic leading to the checkpoints from Singapore, disrupted travelling and holiday plans of many Singaporeans and other visitors.
However, immigration clearance at both entry points was reported to be stable during weekdays.
Alias said the fingerprint scanning system had been upgraded to expedite the scanning process.
"For long term measure, we would like to advise foreigners to apply for the Malaysia automated clearance system at any Immigration office for faster Immigration clearance.
"Under the system, foreigners only have to scan their index fingers during the first visit to the country. For subsequent entry, they only need to have their passports stamped."
Immigration personnel have been working around the clock this week to extend the cables connecting every scanner and computer system by 1.7 metres to enable them to be pulled out to reach every vehicle.
Immigration director-general Datuk Alias Ahmad said the hassle-free measure would significantly reduce the time needed for Immigration clearance.
To facilitate the process, Immigration officer will be stationed outside each booth to supervise the scanning process and assist visitors who are new to the system.
"These are among the proactive measures we have adopted in preparation for a possible influx of visitors during the weekends and public holidays. It will be implemented from today."
The security system is being implemented at 96 entry points natiowide from June 1 to curb transboundary crime and terrorist threats.
Previously, foreigners only had to have their passports stamped to enter Malaysia.
Last weekend, the system was too slow to cope with the influx of visitors from Singapore in conjunction with the republic's school holidays.
This slowed down immigration clearance at both the checkpoints at the Sultan Iskandar Building at the Causeway and the Sultan Abu Bakar Complex at the second link.
The long and slow traffic leading to the checkpoints from Singapore, disrupted travelling and holiday plans of many Singaporeans and other visitors.
However, immigration clearance at both entry points was reported to be stable during weekdays.
Alias said the fingerprint scanning system had been upgraded to expedite the scanning process.
"For long term measure, we would like to advise foreigners to apply for the Malaysia automated clearance system at any Immigration office for faster Immigration clearance.
"Under the system, foreigners only have to scan their index fingers during the first visit to the country. For subsequent entry, they only need to have their passports stamped."
Source : New Straits Times
Maybank Launches New Savings Campaign & m2u Savers Account. Over 484 cool electronic gadgets to be won!
Maybank is targeting to attract at least RM2.5 billion in its new Save & Win Campaign which is being run for the second consecutive year. The nationwide campaign, on from now until 31 December 2011 is also being held in conjunction with the launch of a new, attractive online savings account called m2u Savers.
Maybank Deputy President and Head of Community Financial Services, Lim Hong Tat, who launched the new campaign at Menara Maybank said that it was in line with the Bank's commitment to promote savings amongst the public as well as enable customers to enjoy the benefits from new products introduced to meet their ever changing needs.
"Developing a good savings habit is among the key foundations for good financial planning, and customers can develop this when they are more aware of the range of savings products and the best available interest rates we offer,"said Lim.
He added that the m2u Savers account offers higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts as it is completely operated via Maybank2u.com, with even the opening and closing of the account being able to be done through the portal.
"Given the online nature of this account, we have been able to pass on the cost benefits through higher interest rates," said Lim. "Apart from interest rates of as high as 2.30% per annum, we are also offering a host of other benefits with just a click of the mouse, including cashless shopping facilities and the ability to undertake a myriad of banking transactions ranging from account balance enquiry, fund transfers and bill payments."
Lim said that for a start, m2u Savers is targeting our existing Maybank2u.com customers of which the volume is increasing steadily. Therefore, our new customers can always open the account by first becoming Maybank2u.com users.
In addition, he said both the Save & Win Campaign and m2u Savers launch will strengthen Maybank's market leadership in the traditional deposit segment.
"As at May 2011, our market share for total traditional deposits stood at 17.8%, which is the no. 1 position in the country. As for our Current account & Savings account retail market share, we are also at the top spot with a 24.5% market share. "
Mr Lim said the Save & Win campaign is also part of Maybank's efforts to reward customers for their overwhelming support. The campaign offers over 484 cool electronic gadgets which include the iPad 2, Garmin GPS navigator, Canon digital camera, HTC Salsa phone, iPod nano and many more. It is open to both new and existing account holders who are automatically eligible for every RM500 deposited into any Maybank Savings and Current accounts or RM1,000 deposited into Fixed Deposit accounts, be it Conventional or Islamic accounts during the campaign period
MALAYSIA AIRPORTS INTRODUCING MORE COMPETITIVE PARKING RATE AT KLIA & LCCT-KLIA
SEPANG – Passengers using the parking facility at LCCT-KLIA can now enjoy a more competitive parking rate as Malaysia Airports will be introducing a new tariff for the LCCT-KLIA effective 1 August.
Compared to the current rate where users paid the same rate regardless of the parking zone, public who park their vehicles at Zone C, which is located farthest from the terminal, will now enjoy a lower parking rate compared to those who parked at Zone A, located nearest to the terminal. The new parking rate for Zone C will also see a reduction of RM3 for long term parking which will now cost RM 33.50 for 24 hours parking.
Zone C, which was an expanded parking area introduced in September 2010, was one of the major facelift that the parking lots at LCCT-KLIA have undergone. An additional 1,100 lots have been allocated, taking the total number of parking lots at LCCT-KLIA to 3,000 lots. 12 additional payment machines have been installed at LCCT-KLIA, with more entrance and exit lanes provided.
Closed-circuit television (cctv) has been increased to enhance security at the parking area, and the parking areas also boost of having the License Plate Recognition System that enables computer systems to read automatically the registration number (license number) of vehicles from digital pictures.
Both parking facilities at KLIA and LCCT-KLIA are already Touch N’ Go able, and to provide extra security, additional close circuit tv (cctv) have been installed.
The new parking rate effective 1 August 2011 will also see revised charges at KLIA’s Main Terminal Building (new rates attached). For both terminals, the normal rate will be re-applied after the 24th hour parking charge. The parking rates are inclusive of 6% service tax as required by the Government.
The revision of the parking rates is in tandem with the enhancement of the services and parking facilities that Malaysia Airports has undertaken to provide more convenience to the public.
Compared to the current rate where users paid the same rate regardless of the parking zone, public who park their vehicles at Zone C, which is located farthest from the terminal, will now enjoy a lower parking rate compared to those who parked at Zone A, located nearest to the terminal. The new parking rate for Zone C will also see a reduction of RM3 for long term parking which will now cost RM 33.50 for 24 hours parking.
Zone C, which was an expanded parking area introduced in September 2010, was one of the major facelift that the parking lots at LCCT-KLIA have undergone. An additional 1,100 lots have been allocated, taking the total number of parking lots at LCCT-KLIA to 3,000 lots. 12 additional payment machines have been installed at LCCT-KLIA, with more entrance and exit lanes provided.
Closed-circuit television (cctv) has been increased to enhance security at the parking area, and the parking areas also boost of having the License Plate Recognition System that enables computer systems to read automatically the registration number (license number) of vehicles from digital pictures.
Both parking facilities at KLIA and LCCT-KLIA are already Touch N’ Go able, and to provide extra security, additional close circuit tv (cctv) have been installed.
The new parking rate effective 1 August 2011 will also see revised charges at KLIA’s Main Terminal Building (new rates attached). For both terminals, the normal rate will be re-applied after the 24th hour parking charge. The parking rates are inclusive of 6% service tax as required by the Government.
The revision of the parking rates is in tandem with the enhancement of the services and parking facilities that Malaysia Airports has undertaken to provide more convenience to the public.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
New touchscreen BlackBerrys being launched
NEW YORK: Research In Motion Ltd unveiled five new BlackBerry phones with touchscreens, as it hopes to revive the line's dwindling appeal in the face of competition from the iPhone and Android smartphones.
The new phones had been expected earlier this year, but were delayed. Though the company is profitable and seeing growing sales, it is increasingly seen as a has-been that missed the chance to parlay the BlackBerry's popularity as a corporate e-mail device into mass-market dominance.
The Canadian company, which is based in Waterloo, Ontario, is updating its high-end Bold models to include touchscreens. It's also launching two Torch models with big screens but no physical keyboards, mimicking the basic design of the iPhone.
RIM launched a keyboard-less touchscreen phone called the Storm in 2008, more than a year after the first iPhone, but the Storm's quirky design and poor software made it a flop.
"The all-touchscreen Torch has been a while coming as a natural successor to the disappointing Storm, particularly when the smartphone market has gone touchscreen mad over the past 18 months," said Malik Saadi, an analyst at Informa.
The phones run a new version of the BlackBerry operating system, which RIM said is much faster, particularly for web browsing.
The Bold models will be the first BlackBerrys to include so-called Near-Field Communications chips, so they can be used in place of credit cards by swiping them across properly equipped payment terminals.
Many companies, including cellphone carriers like AT&T and web companies like Google Inc are promoting the idea of using phones as digital "wallets." - AP
New Straits Times
Send your greetings with Kad Raya app
PETALING JAYA: M3 Technologies Asia (M3Tech) has developed an application called Kad Raya for iOS devices that allows users to send greetings to family and friends.
With this application users can create a Hari Raya greeting card with a personalised message while on the go and in as little time as possible and share it with friends and loved ones.
Kad Raya comes with a simple and easy-to-use user interface. It allows users to use an existing photo or take a snapshot using the built-in camera of a smartphone, for example, to embed and merge with the existing frames on the greeting card.
Another main feature includes sharing the finished greeting card with your loved ones via Facebook and e-mail within the application itself.
Users can also purchase extra frames and icons, and create greeting cards by paying 99 cents (RM3) through the in-app purchase option in the application.
To date, M3Tech has released three greeting card applications, namely for Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
New Straits Times
With this application users can create a Hari Raya greeting card with a personalised message while on the go and in as little time as possible and share it with friends and loved ones.
Kad Raya comes with a simple and easy-to-use user interface. It allows users to use an existing photo or take a snapshot using the built-in camera of a smartphone, for example, to embed and merge with the existing frames on the greeting card.
Another main feature includes sharing the finished greeting card with your loved ones via Facebook and e-mail within the application itself.
Users can also purchase extra frames and icons, and create greeting cards by paying 99 cents (RM3) through the in-app purchase option in the application.
To date, M3Tech has released three greeting card applications, namely for Christmas, New Year and Chinese New Year.
New Straits Times
Do we really need ICT Co-ordinators?
The role of ICT Co-ordinator has been around for decades – ever since, in fact, someone decided that ICT activities ought to be co-ordinated across the curriculum. But why should it be, and what does it even mean to co-ordinate it anyway?
The rationale of co-ordinating ICT across the curriculum is possibly laudable. If the purpose is to ensure that a student is not placed at a disadvantage in terms of learning about and with technology by choosing a particular set of subject options, then I suppose that’s fine. It’s then a matter of digital and, more important, educational equity, and that fits in well with my own values system. But I fear that too often it’s seen as a defensive measure, to prevent the school's being “caught out” whilst being inspected or otherwise evaluated.
The thing is, though, I have been into several schools where there is ICT going on all over the place without its being “co-ordinated” at all. Faced with the dilemma of whether or not to castigate the school for its lack of attentiveness to such matters, or take a more pragmatic approach, I decided on the latter. After all, ICT was happening. The fact that nobody was overseeing it seemed an irrelevance. As Darrell Huff said in his brilliant book How to Lie With Statistics, a difference is only a difference if it makes a difference.
What does “co-ordinating ICT” even mean? Is it to ensure that the same practice happens across the board, which sounds pretty boring to me? Or is it to ensure that the computer labs are not over- or under-booked in any one week? If the latter, then surely all someone needs to do is make sure that everyone has access to a room-booking timetable? Ideally, that should be on the school’s VLE or Learning Platform, so that nobody even has to get up from their chair when they want to book a room (or any other technology come to that), but even a paper copy on the staffroom noticeboard would be OK as long as the school wasn’t on a split site with the computer rooms on one site only. Incidentally, everything I’ve said here about booking computer rooms applies to booking laptops or anything else.
Terry Freedman
http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2011/6/12/do-we-really-need-ict-co-ordinators.html
The rationale of co-ordinating ICT across the curriculum is possibly laudable. If the purpose is to ensure that a student is not placed at a disadvantage in terms of learning about and with technology by choosing a particular set of subject options, then I suppose that’s fine. It’s then a matter of digital and, more important, educational equity, and that fits in well with my own values system. But I fear that too often it’s seen as a defensive measure, to prevent the school's being “caught out” whilst being inspected or otherwise evaluated.
The thing is, though, I have been into several schools where there is ICT going on all over the place without its being “co-ordinated” at all. Faced with the dilemma of whether or not to castigate the school for its lack of attentiveness to such matters, or take a more pragmatic approach, I decided on the latter. After all, ICT was happening. The fact that nobody was overseeing it seemed an irrelevance. As Darrell Huff said in his brilliant book How to Lie With Statistics, a difference is only a difference if it makes a difference.
What does “co-ordinating ICT” even mean? Is it to ensure that the same practice happens across the board, which sounds pretty boring to me? Or is it to ensure that the computer labs are not over- or under-booked in any one week? If the latter, then surely all someone needs to do is make sure that everyone has access to a room-booking timetable? Ideally, that should be on the school’s VLE or Learning Platform, so that nobody even has to get up from their chair when they want to book a room (or any other technology come to that), but even a paper copy on the staffroom noticeboard would be OK as long as the school wasn’t on a split site with the computer rooms on one site only. Incidentally, everything I’ve said here about booking computer rooms applies to booking laptops or anything else.
Terry Freedman
http://www.ictineducation.org/home-page/2011/6/12/do-we-really-need-ict-co-ordinators.html
International Journal of Education and Development
The International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT) is an e-journal that provides free and open access to all of its content.
IJEDICT aims to strengthen links between research and practice in ICT in education and development in hitherto less developed parts of the world, e.g., developing countries (especially small states), and rural and remote regions of developed countries.
The emphasis is on providing a space for researchers, practitioners and theoreticians to jointly explore ideas using an eclectic mix of research methods and disciplines. It brings together research, action research and case studies in order to assist in the transfer of best practice, the development of policy and the creation of theory. Thus, IJEDICT is of interest to a wide-ranging audience of researchers, policy-makers, practitioners, government officers and other professionals involved in education or development in communities throughout the world.
http://ijedict.dec.uwi.edu/
IJEDICT aims to strengthen links between research and practice in ICT in education and development in hitherto less developed parts of the world, e.g., developing countries (especially small states), and rural and remote regions of developed countries.
The emphasis is on providing a space for researchers, practitioners and theoreticians to jointly explore ideas using an eclectic mix of research methods and disciplines. It brings together research, action research and case studies in order to assist in the transfer of best practice, the development of policy and the creation of theory. Thus, IJEDICT is of interest to a wide-ranging audience of researchers, policy-makers, practitioners, government officers and other professionals involved in education or development in communities throughout the world.
Professor Stewart Marshall
The University of the West Indies, West Indies
The University of the West Indies, West Indies
Professor Wal Taylor
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa
E-Business/ICT and Carbon Emissions
The high-tech industry, its associated Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and subsequent
e-business and Internet applications, have had profound effects on our economic lives, social
development and environment. This revolutionary change is not only appreciated by computer gurus,
but also by private and public organisations. This chapter attempts to focus on the relationship between
the e-business/ICT and carbon emission–one of the causes of global warming. Aspects to be considered
include energy consumption and CO2 emission associated with the Internet throughout its lifecycle-from
manufacturing of Internet equipment/hardware to its usage and final disposal. On the other hand how
Internet technology facilitates environment management and benefits industries via, for example Carbon
Trading.
China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), China
Lan Yi
http://www.igi-global.com/viewtitlesample.aspx?id=52010
e-business and Internet applications, have had profound effects on our economic lives, social
development and environment. This revolutionary change is not only appreciated by computer gurus,
but also by private and public organisations. This chapter attempts to focus on the relationship between
the e-business/ICT and carbon emission–one of the causes of global warming. Aspects to be considered
include energy consumption and CO2 emission associated with the Internet throughout its lifecycle-from
manufacturing of Internet equipment/hardware to its usage and final disposal. On the other hand how
Internet technology facilitates environment management and benefits industries via, for example Carbon
Trading.
China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), China
Lan Yi
http://www.igi-global.com/viewtitlesample.aspx?id=52010
The role of ICT in business ethics courses: Evident from Bangladesh
Business education is one of the growing phenomena both in the developed and developing world.
Global argument in many contexts from the areas that are more connected to profit and loss (that is
marketing, accounting, finance and management) activities of business have been heavily given
emphasis recently. As a result, motivation of academics in teaching and students’ motivation in
learning the course has recently maintained a low profile. However, a well established argument is that
without adopting updated business ethics course as a fundamental of business education, neither long
term business goal can be achieved nor a decent national development can be ensured. After the
invention of ICT, most of the courses are trying to have a maximum benefit through the usage of IT. It
is thus important to have a greater role of ICT in business ethics course. Based on the experience of
courses taught by the author, this paper argues that an adequate use of ICT in the teaching of a
business ethics (BE) course depends on clarifying the assumptions about ethics and the place of the
course within a programme. For this purpose, it explains how ICT can be used to strengthen a view of
business ethics based on dialogue and mutual learning and it encourages the combination between
virtual and face-to-face teaching. Data used for this paper are the teaching and observation
experiences in two universities in Bangladesh. One of them is public, while the other is included from a
private counterpart. Finally, the paper examines the relationship between the use of ICT, individual
learning processes and communities of practice.
Morsheda Parvin1, Gazi M. Salam and G.M Alam
Global argument in many contexts from the areas that are more connected to profit and loss (that is
marketing, accounting, finance and management) activities of business have been heavily given
emphasis recently. As a result, motivation of academics in teaching and students’ motivation in
learning the course has recently maintained a low profile. However, a well established argument is that
without adopting updated business ethics course as a fundamental of business education, neither long
term business goal can be achieved nor a decent national development can be ensured. After the
invention of ICT, most of the courses are trying to have a maximum benefit through the usage of IT. It
is thus important to have a greater role of ICT in business ethics course. Based on the experience of
courses taught by the author, this paper argues that an adequate use of ICT in the teaching of a
business ethics (BE) course depends on clarifying the assumptions about ethics and the place of the
course within a programme. For this purpose, it explains how ICT can be used to strengthen a view of
business ethics based on dialogue and mutual learning and it encourages the combination between
virtual and face-to-face teaching. Data used for this paper are the teaching and observation
experiences in two universities in Bangladesh. One of them is public, while the other is included from a
private counterpart. Finally, the paper examines the relationship between the use of ICT, individual
learning processes and communities of practice.
Morsheda Parvin1, Gazi M. Salam and G.M Alam
The International Journal of Human Resource Management
The influence of technology developments on the content and arrangement of work is a recurring theme in many publications. Advances in information and communication technology (ICT) are reshaping internal organizational design and necessitate new types of employee capabilities and behaviour. As will be illustrated, ICT developments create a heightened level of business and market dynamics. Arguably, these dynamics affect the required capabilities and behaviour of employees even more strongly. Similarly, the way businesses are operating, and customer, supplier and business partner relationships are formed, is also affected by the rapid ICT progress. Key drivers shaping the new business context will be addressed. This paper argues that the trends and developments illustrated necessitate revision of traditionally held beliefs and paradigms. Said revision has important implications for the strategy and management of human resources, whereby the focus on employee behaviour is crucial. Two key aspects of a human resource strategy will be discussed, identified as HR alignment and HR enablement. With the focus on employee behaviour, attention should be given to the organizational context, since this context determines employee behaviour. Said context is defined by organizational culture, management practices and various organizational structures and systems. In view of the necessary organizational change associated with the developments illustrated, the importance of consistency and coherence between the elements of the organizational context is stressed. Establishing change under conditions of consistency and coherence is therefore identified as a crucial organizational competence.
Taylor & Francis Online
Jan A.P. Hoogervorst Paul L.Koopman Henk van der Flier
Taylor & Francis Online
Jan A.P. Hoogervorst Paul L.Koopman Henk van der Flier
Malaysia Bank On ICT To Meet 2020 Development Goals
Malaysia’s Government CIO has hailed ICT as a “key enabler” to fulfil Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s mission to transform Malaysia into a developed nation by 2020. Speaking at the FutureGov Forum Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (23rd February 2010), Dr Nor Aliah Zahri, Government CIO and Deputy Director General of the Malaysian Administration Modernisation & Planning Unit (MAMPU), said that the 2020 goal was a “reasonable target to attain”.
“We acknowledge that we face significant challenges,” Dr Aliah told delegates. “But we are seeing positive change as Malaysia continues to transform into an information-centred economy by focusing on innovation, value and high skills.”
Malaysia’s National Broadband Plan, which aims to see household broadband internet penetration rise from 26 per cent to 50 per cent by the end of this year (2010), will play a big part in connecting the country of 23 million people, Dr Aliah noted. If this target is met – Malaysia’s GDP, which has been sluggish during the global economic downturn, could grow by 1.2 per cent, she said.
The Government Transformation Roadmap Plan, introduced this year to improve government services, will help keep the 2020 vision on track, Dr Aliah said. “This is a bold and unprecedented plan for every ministry to ensure that every citizen enjoys the fruits of a growing nation,” she said.
Part of the plan is “Connected government”, an initiative launched in 2007 to boost information sharing, integration and interoperability among government agencies, and strengthen and unify ICT infrastructure. “We want to move towards zero face-to-face interaction for citizens for selected agencies as more services move online,” said Dr Aliah.
Another strategy has been to focus on a few “high-impact projects” that will deliver immediate results. One of the most successful to date is MySMS, which gives Malaysians one number – 15888 - to text government with complaints or queries and receive news about new services. The service already has 1.4 million users.
Similar in aim to MySMS is MyID, which enables Malaysians to use a single reference number when dealing with government agencies. Launched in January 2010, 760 services have been launched which use the MyID service to date.
Dr Aliah explained that the progress of these projects, and the public sector as a whole, will be closely monitored by giving the highest performing agencies a “Public Sector Trust Mark” which citizens or businesses can use to gauge transparency.
“If these initiatives are wholeheartedly embraced, the hope of the Malaysian government is that we will move towards a more systemic excellence culture,” she said.
“Malaysia’s public sector will continue to transform to deliver higher performance to meet the 2020 goal. But we still need to change the way the civil service operates. E-government in Malaysia is well advanced, and it should be an integral component of a much broader mission to deliver the transformation agenda.”
Malaysia was ranked 32nd in the United Nations E-Government Survey 2010 last month, moving up two places on its 2008 rank. Malaysia is the fifth highest placed Asian country in the rankings, behind Japan, Bahrain, Singapore and South Korea.
FutureGov Forum Malaysia is an annual event organised by FutureGov magazine in close cooperation with the Malaysian government authorities.
Asia Pasific Future Gov
Robin Hicks
“We acknowledge that we face significant challenges,” Dr Aliah told delegates. “But we are seeing positive change as Malaysia continues to transform into an information-centred economy by focusing on innovation, value and high skills.”
Malaysia’s National Broadband Plan, which aims to see household broadband internet penetration rise from 26 per cent to 50 per cent by the end of this year (2010), will play a big part in connecting the country of 23 million people, Dr Aliah noted. If this target is met – Malaysia’s GDP, which has been sluggish during the global economic downturn, could grow by 1.2 per cent, she said.
The Government Transformation Roadmap Plan, introduced this year to improve government services, will help keep the 2020 vision on track, Dr Aliah said. “This is a bold and unprecedented plan for every ministry to ensure that every citizen enjoys the fruits of a growing nation,” she said.
Part of the plan is “Connected government”, an initiative launched in 2007 to boost information sharing, integration and interoperability among government agencies, and strengthen and unify ICT infrastructure. “We want to move towards zero face-to-face interaction for citizens for selected agencies as more services move online,” said Dr Aliah.
Another strategy has been to focus on a few “high-impact projects” that will deliver immediate results. One of the most successful to date is MySMS, which gives Malaysians one number – 15888 - to text government with complaints or queries and receive news about new services. The service already has 1.4 million users.
Similar in aim to MySMS is MyID, which enables Malaysians to use a single reference number when dealing with government agencies. Launched in January 2010, 760 services have been launched which use the MyID service to date.
Dr Aliah explained that the progress of these projects, and the public sector as a whole, will be closely monitored by giving the highest performing agencies a “Public Sector Trust Mark” which citizens or businesses can use to gauge transparency.
“If these initiatives are wholeheartedly embraced, the hope of the Malaysian government is that we will move towards a more systemic excellence culture,” she said.
“Malaysia’s public sector will continue to transform to deliver higher performance to meet the 2020 goal. But we still need to change the way the civil service operates. E-government in Malaysia is well advanced, and it should be an integral component of a much broader mission to deliver the transformation agenda.”
Malaysia was ranked 32nd in the United Nations E-Government Survey 2010 last month, moving up two places on its 2008 rank. Malaysia is the fifth highest placed Asian country in the rankings, behind Japan, Bahrain, Singapore and South Korea.
FutureGov Forum Malaysia is an annual event organised by FutureGov magazine in close cooperation with the Malaysian government authorities.
Asia Pasific Future Gov
Robin Hicks
Great ICT Sale
As part of MSC Malaysia's effort to boost adoption of ICT products and services locally, the Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn Bhd (Co. No. 389346-D) ("MDeC") has organized the MSC Malaysia Great ICT Sale that aims to pull together selected vendors that can bundle their products and services into Value+ Packages that provide buyers with easy-to-select, enhanced-value solution bundling options.
For the duration of the campaign month, the MSC Malaysia Great ICT Sale will present a unique opportunity for your organization to showcase your products and services, including both physical presence at 3 regional locations (Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru) and in the media, as well as online presence, to maximize reach and impact.
The MSC Malaysia Great ICT Sale will serve as a national platform for solution providers to bundle easy-to-select ICT products and services packages at great value to encourage adoption and to assist local SMEs to move up value-chain by leveraging on ICT as competitive differentiator.
MSC Malaysia
For the duration of the campaign month, the MSC Malaysia Great ICT Sale will present a unique opportunity for your organization to showcase your products and services, including both physical presence at 3 regional locations (Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru) and in the media, as well as online presence, to maximize reach and impact.
The MSC Malaysia Great ICT Sale will serve as a national platform for solution providers to bundle easy-to-select ICT products and services packages at great value to encourage adoption and to assist local SMEs to move up value-chain by leveraging on ICT as competitive differentiator.
MSC Malaysia
IDC: Malaysia's 2010 Budget will impact ICT sector indirectly
In Malaysia's 2010 budget, the government's push is for a nationwide agenda utilizing innovation as an overriding factor across industries in order to spur a high-income economy in Malaysia. This is a culmination of innovation, creativity, and high value-added activities that are portrayed in policies tabled in the budget for research and development (R&D), comprehensive creative industry policy, and development of human capital.
IDC believes that the investments targeted at broad-base industries such as education, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing has an indirect but critical impact on ICT spending, as any improvements on these sectors will help industry players to focus on future key ICT investment plans. However, while the 2010 budget aims to utilize innovation across industries to help spur a high-income economy in the country, the lack of more concrete endeavors on boosting ICT usage among lower income groups is still largely unaddressed. Direct and more focused plans on ICT as a key business enabler across verticals should be looked upon and examined closely.
From a consumer ICT spending perspective, we applaud the Malaysian government on some of its key initiatives pertinent to the ICT industry, including efforts to boost PC and broadband adoption through a computer loan for civil servants, the RM50/month netbook package for local university students, and the acceleration of the HSBB project. The adoption growth of broadband services in any country is highly dependent on PC penetration in the nation, and such an initiative goes hand in hand in driving the adoption of both PC and broadband in Malaysia. Vendors in the netbook market, as well as mobile broadband service providers, stand to gain the most from this initiative, especially when executed properly will have a positive impact on the country's IT and telecommunication spending, considering the fact that previous initiatives have failed due to poor execution.
Unfortunately the impending announcement of the GST tax by end of 2009, is a cause of concern for the ICT industry, especially on consumer goods, which may negate the positive impact of this initiative, as it will raise the prices of ICT goods and services, which previously enjoyed a tax-free status. Meanwhile the announcement of an increased personal tax relief and a reduced income tax ceiling will lead to an increase in disposable incomes among Malaysian consumers, although it should be cautioned that the increase in disposable income may not necessarily result in consumer IT spending boost. As a result, the net effect of the Malaysian budget to the consumer ICT market will be highly dependent on both the implementation of PC packages and the implications of GST on ICT goods and services.
Meanwhile for the commercial ICT spending markets, IDC views initiatives such as the e-Dividend, restructuring of fuel subsidy, and the creative industry funds as means to further boost the ICT industry, especially the services and software industries. Such initiatives will have direct implications to developers in these markets, especially those playing in e-Payments, database systems, and multimedia developers. Other markets such as servers, networking equipments, telecommunication, and security markets, stand to be indirect beneficiaries to these initiative. Similarly, the green technology initiative would stand to benefit the ICT industry in a similar fashion. Aside from a boost in infrastructure spending, we believe that these funding will sow the seeds in developing and supporting the development of whole new industry, which will have a direct impact on the creation of skilled knowledge–based workers in these market.
Another key aspect of the development of the ICT industry in Malaysia is the development of human capital. While the Malaysian 2010 budget does not directly address the issues of developing human capital, IDC notes a few salient areas that have a direct and an indirect impact on the development of human capital, especially in the ease of application for permanent residency (PR) status in the country for highly talented and skilled expatriates to accelerate knowledge and technology transfer, as well as implement transformation processes. The development of Cyberjaya and Putrajaya into vibrant townships is a notable progressive step in this area that will attract workers to these townships, not only to work, but also to build a vibrant wholesome community. Unfortunately, a notable concern is the capping of 15% income tax on workers living and working in Iskandar Malaysia, which at face value is a highly attractive proposition, but may result in an uneven shift of skilled workers away from other developmental corridors and Cybercities into the Iskandar region, hence creating a distribution gap of skilled knowledge workers in areas outside Iskandar Region.
As for developing key vertical sectors, the Malaysian 2010 budget has stated a significant number of funding and allocation in developing these sectors that are the cornerstones of the Malaysian economy. While these initiatives do not directly address the utilization and implication of ICT in these areas, we expect that the ICT industry will benefit from the spillover effect of these initiatives. Among the key areas that may benefit from this include the software development and ICT services industry, due to the requirements of ICT to support these initiatives, while the ICT hardware market will gain directly from increased spending in server, PC, and other peripherals. Recipients of the funding, especially from the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), can enable SMEs to spruce up their ICT infrastructure. In addition, many ICT companies under the purview of Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) are SMEs that can also benefit from this resource. ICT companies can improve their competitive edge by utilizing the funds to enhance skills and capabilities through training and certifications.
IDC believes that the investments targeted at broad-base industries such as education, finance, agriculture, and manufacturing has an indirect but critical impact on ICT spending, as any improvements on these sectors will help industry players to focus on future key ICT investment plans. However, while the 2010 budget aims to utilize innovation across industries to help spur a high-income economy in the country, the lack of more concrete endeavors on boosting ICT usage among lower income groups is still largely unaddressed. Direct and more focused plans on ICT as a key business enabler across verticals should be looked upon and examined closely.
From a consumer ICT spending perspective, we applaud the Malaysian government on some of its key initiatives pertinent to the ICT industry, including efforts to boost PC and broadband adoption through a computer loan for civil servants, the RM50/month netbook package for local university students, and the acceleration of the HSBB project. The adoption growth of broadband services in any country is highly dependent on PC penetration in the nation, and such an initiative goes hand in hand in driving the adoption of both PC and broadband in Malaysia. Vendors in the netbook market, as well as mobile broadband service providers, stand to gain the most from this initiative, especially when executed properly will have a positive impact on the country's IT and telecommunication spending, considering the fact that previous initiatives have failed due to poor execution.
Unfortunately the impending announcement of the GST tax by end of 2009, is a cause of concern for the ICT industry, especially on consumer goods, which may negate the positive impact of this initiative, as it will raise the prices of ICT goods and services, which previously enjoyed a tax-free status. Meanwhile the announcement of an increased personal tax relief and a reduced income tax ceiling will lead to an increase in disposable incomes among Malaysian consumers, although it should be cautioned that the increase in disposable income may not necessarily result in consumer IT spending boost. As a result, the net effect of the Malaysian budget to the consumer ICT market will be highly dependent on both the implementation of PC packages and the implications of GST on ICT goods and services.
Meanwhile for the commercial ICT spending markets, IDC views initiatives such as the e-Dividend, restructuring of fuel subsidy, and the creative industry funds as means to further boost the ICT industry, especially the services and software industries. Such initiatives will have direct implications to developers in these markets, especially those playing in e-Payments, database systems, and multimedia developers. Other markets such as servers, networking equipments, telecommunication, and security markets, stand to be indirect beneficiaries to these initiative. Similarly, the green technology initiative would stand to benefit the ICT industry in a similar fashion. Aside from a boost in infrastructure spending, we believe that these funding will sow the seeds in developing and supporting the development of whole new industry, which will have a direct impact on the creation of skilled knowledge–based workers in these market.
Another key aspect of the development of the ICT industry in Malaysia is the development of human capital. While the Malaysian 2010 budget does not directly address the issues of developing human capital, IDC notes a few salient areas that have a direct and an indirect impact on the development of human capital, especially in the ease of application for permanent residency (PR) status in the country for highly talented and skilled expatriates to accelerate knowledge and technology transfer, as well as implement transformation processes. The development of Cyberjaya and Putrajaya into vibrant townships is a notable progressive step in this area that will attract workers to these townships, not only to work, but also to build a vibrant wholesome community. Unfortunately, a notable concern is the capping of 15% income tax on workers living and working in Iskandar Malaysia, which at face value is a highly attractive proposition, but may result in an uneven shift of skilled workers away from other developmental corridors and Cybercities into the Iskandar region, hence creating a distribution gap of skilled knowledge workers in areas outside Iskandar Region.
As for developing key vertical sectors, the Malaysian 2010 budget has stated a significant number of funding and allocation in developing these sectors that are the cornerstones of the Malaysian economy. While these initiatives do not directly address the utilization and implication of ICT in these areas, we expect that the ICT industry will benefit from the spillover effect of these initiatives. Among the key areas that may benefit from this include the software development and ICT services industry, due to the requirements of ICT to support these initiatives, while the ICT hardware market will gain directly from increased spending in server, PC, and other peripherals. Recipients of the funding, especially from the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME), can enable SMEs to spruce up their ICT infrastructure. In addition, many ICT companies under the purview of Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) are SMEs that can also benefit from this resource. ICT companies can improve their competitive edge by utilizing the funds to enhance skills and capabilities through training and certifications.
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