Malaysia digital economy blueprint identifies issues, challenges

KUALA LUMPUR – The newly launched Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint has identified several challenges which need to be addressed to achieve Malaysia’s goal to become a digitally driven, high-income nation and a regional leader in the digital economy, reported Bernama.

According to the blueprint published by the Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, there is a need to have a digital-first mindset and higher digital technology adoption across the public sector, as well as a supportive ecosystem for local enterprises to digitalise.

It is also noted the need for better development of quality broadband and digital technologies infrastructure, the necessity to narrow the digital divide among income and age groups, the need to build trust and ethics in using data and technology, as well as increasing awareness on the importance of cybersecurity.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin said the digital economy growth had accelerated in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated the creation of new digital businesses, forced traditional brick-and-mortar enterprises to pivot online, and saw millions of Malaysians going online to meet their daily needs.

“To ensure that no Malaysians is left behind to catch the wave of digitalisation, the time has come for us to lay the foundations for the country’s transformation towards an advanced digital economy. This foundation means building the infrastructure, facilitating innovation and creating an ecosystem for all of us to contribute to bringing forth higher standards of living,” he said in the blueprint.

MyDIGITAL sets out the consolidated initiatives and targeted outcomes, to be delivered through six strategic thrusts, 22 strategies, 48 national initiatives and 28 sectoral initiatives, which will be implemented in three phases up to 2030.

Under Phase 1 (2021 to 2022), the government aims to focus on accelerating digital adoption to strengthen the digital foundation needed for the rapid and smooth rollout of Phase 2 and Phase 3.

In Phase 2 (2023 to 2025), the focus shifts to driving digital transformation and inclusion across the digital economy, emphasising inclusivity among the people and all levels of businesses, while under Phase 3 (2026 to 2030), the focus would be on making the country a regional leader in digital content and cybersecurity.