Malaysia Announces Digital Masterplan For The Next Decade

Malaysia is currently working on something called the Digital Malaysia Masterplan in an effort to improve the socio-economic development of the country. This innovative digital economy framework is intended to transform Malaysia from a middle-income country to a high-income economy by the year 2020.

By promoting the growth of Internet penetration and social ICT use, Malaysia wants to create integrated and interconnected development in every sector. In 2020 it is expected that broadband penetration will extend to cover the whole country. Malaysia Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, a social media enthusiast himself, said that to reach that goal Malaysia needs an investment of $444 billion, annual growth of six per cent, and it needs to generate about 3.3 million high-income jobs.

With many technological advancements, Malaysia has succeeded in changing its economic base from agriculture to industry services. The government’s Economic Transformation Plan is expected to boost Malaysia’s Gross National Income (GNI) from $6,700 in 2009 to $15,000 in 2020.

In a joint initiative with the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), the Malaysian government has developed the Global Science and Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC). This council will provide valuable input and perspective on information and communications technologies that support ‘Digital Malaysia.’ Malaysian Prime Minister Najib (also the chairman of GSIAC) said that Digital Malaysia would accelerate growth across all sectors of the economy and create a climate conducive to innovation, investment, and talent.

Perhaps last month’s announcement that every Malaysian citizen will receive a government designated email is part of this Digital Malaysia Masterplan. The 1Malaysia email initiative, however, hasn’t been very well-received by Malaysians.

Compared with other Asian countries, Malaysia is currently still trying to compete in the field of information technology. This economic plan lays out a roadmap that makes it possible for Malaysia to become one of the leading Asian countries in ICT.

[Via Bernama]