KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (NNN-Bernama) — The Malaysia Digital Inclusiveness Index (MyDID) will be developed to measure the digital divide and enable targeted policy prescriptions, including resource allocation and talent development.
The Mid-Term Review of the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), tabled in Parliament Monday, stated that programmes will be identified to increase digital literacy and enhance trust in achieving wider digital adoption, particularly among vulnerable groups.
Concurrently, a pre-requisite digital adoption requirement for businesses will be introduced to complement existing campaigns for society to go cashless.
Meanwhile, in order to uphold the safety and security of transactions and activities in digital healthcare, the end-to-end requirements for enabling digital signatures will be pursued.
“These measures will further enhance digital inclusion while improving digital adoption,” said the mid-term review report.
In addition, leadership programmes will be introduced to mould more digitally savvy leaders from industries as one of the initiatives under the Big Bold Digital- and Technology-Based Industry.
Leaders within the education system will be further exposed to the latest digital trends and talent requirements, the report said.
On top of that, existing regulations and guidelines will be reviewed to meet the current global trends and to enhance the resilience of the digital economy.
“For this purpose, a bill will be tabled in order to address cybersecurity issues and management. A regulatory framework for the sharing economy will also be established to effectively support the evolving industry,” it said.
Furthermore, the government will strengthen initiatives and improve monitoring mechanisms in aligning the roles and functions of ministries and agencies.
In this regard, the integration of data on programmes related to the digital economy from multiple ministries and agencies will be implemented.
The report said measures will also be undertaken to align digital economy programmes offered by the federal and state governments in optimising resources.
In 2021, Malaysia’s contribution of the digital economy to Gross Domestic Product grew to 23.3 per cent. By 2025, a contribution of 25.5 per cent is targeted.
Among 12MP milestones were the setting up of MyDigital Corporation in 2021 and the Sharing Economy Committee in 2022.
A total of 1.13 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) onboarded e-commerce as at 2022 while 13,398 digital freelance and gig workers were trained last year.
Last year, there were 90 new start-ups based in Malaysia Digital Hub and 200 local MSMEs exported digital solutions.
As for Internet connection, Malaysia achieved 96.9 per cent 4G coverage in populated areas as of 2022, near the 100 per cent range targeted by 2025, while access to fixed broadband services amounted 7.7 million premises last year.
On issues and challenges affecting the digital economy ecosystem, the report cited ineffective governance and coordination, uneven progress in digital infrastructure, lack of digital talent development and extended digital exclusion that widened inequality.
— NNN-BERNAMA