Putrajaya (The Star/ANN) - Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has outlined four initiatives to make the country a developed digital economy by 2020.
The initiatives under Digital Malaysia will focus on tapping demand for digital products and services, increasing citizens' income and unlocking entrepreneurship potential for the Below 40 group, nurturing a new generation of IT-savvy youth and enhancing SME productivity.
Speaking after chairing the 15th MSC Malaysia International Advisory Panel (IAP) meeting here yesterday, the Prime Minister said the Government also agreed to recognise high-achievers in the IT sector.
"We are talking about people who can become icons in their own right," said Najib.
"Today, we saw a video of a farmer producing seaweed in Kunak, Semporna, with an income of 450 ringgit (US$146) per month," he said. "However, after going online, she is now earning 20,000 ringgit per month," he added.
"That is what we mean about ICT being a game-changer.
"We need more such people and will recognise their achievement so that they will become a catalyst and living icon to encourage others," he said.
Najib added that the Government would also improve the skills of teachers utilising IT.
He said instead of the traditional way of sending them to training institutions during school holidays, a few brilliant teachers would develop content for their subjects and put it online.
"IAP members told us that in the United States, the trend is for top-notch professors to teach online where they could reach 100,000 to 150,000 students," Najib said, adding that Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, would look into the matter.
Earlier, in his opening remarks at the 24th MSC Malaysia Implementation Council Meeting Najib urged digital technology industry players to move fast.
"The year 2011 proved to be a milestone one for mobile commerce in Malaysia.
"The total spent on mobile commerce grew from RM101mil in 2010 to a phenomenal 467 million ringgit, representing a 370 per cent jump."
*US$1=3.08 ringgit
