MyDIGITAL
Source: EPU Malaysia Youtube, screenshot via video
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MyDIGITAL is the Malaysian government’s Initiative to transform Malaysia to a digitally driven and high-income nation and eventually a regional leader in digital economy. (Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, 2021, Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint)
Digital economy is the combination of economic and social activities that involve the production and the use of digital technology by all levels of society, starting from the government agencies and systems, public and private business sectors, the communities and individual consumers in Malaysia. (Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department, 2021, Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint)
This digital direction is anticipated to increase the strength and competitiveness of the Malaysian business sector and be the catalyst in Malaysia’s trajectory to become a technologically advanced economy through foreign investments from high-profile companies and projects, especially in the manufacturing and services sector (Tan, 2021).
Malaysia’s post-pandemic era is now postured on these three key economic growth areas: sustainability, equal distribution of resources & wealth and inclusivity. In his speech during the virtual launch event of MyDIGITAL on 19 February 2021, YAB Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin said that the main objectives of this digitalisation project are to empower and improve livelihoods of all levels of Malaysian society across the country by championing digital literacy to create more high-income job opportunities, increased skilled workforce, make banking and finance business more seamless and continue to develop and provide progressive and accessible virtual and physical education as well as medical services to remote areas.
Prime Minister of Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato’ Haji Mahiaddin bin Haji Md. Yasin
Source: EPU Malaysia Youtube, screenshot via video
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(Prime Minister of Malaysia during his Speech in conjunction with MyDIGITAL and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint Launch Ceremony. https://www.pmo.gov.my/2021/02/speech-text-in-conjunction-with-mydigital-and-malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint-launch-ceremony/?highlight=mydigital)
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Designed to complement Malaysia’s existing development policies such as the 12th Malaysian Plan, Wawasan Kemakmuran 2030 and also the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), MyDIGITAL will encompass 48 national initiatives and 28 sectoral initiatives and is a part of the bigger plan of the Malaysia Digital Economic Blueprint. It is a combination of initiatives and targets across three phases of implementation until 2030 (Sunil, 2021):
– Phase 1: 2021 to 2022, reinforce the foundation of digital adoption.
– Phase 2: 2023 to 2025, drive inclusive digital transformation.
– Phase 3: 2026 to 2030, brand Malaysia a digital and cyber security lead in the regional market.
The information below is an excerpt from YAB Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin’s speech during the launch of MyDIGITAL regarding its initiatives and targets.
(Prime Minister of Malaysia during his Speech in conjunction with MyDIGITAL and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint Launch Ceremony. https://www.pmo.gov.my/2021/02/speech-text-in-conjunction-with-mydigital-and-malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint-launch-ceremony/?highlight=mydigital)
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YAB Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin also declared the importance of building Malaysia’s digital infrastructure in order “to accelerate innovation and create an effective digital ecosystem.” (Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia, 2021, Speech text in Conjunction with MyDIGITAL and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint Launch Ceremony (https://www.pmo.gov.my/2021/02/speech-text-in-conjunction-with-mydigital-and-malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint-launch-ceremony/?highlight=mydigital).
(Prime Minister of Malaysia during his Speech in conjunction with MyDIGITAL and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint Launch Ceremony. https://www.pmo.gov.my/2021/02/speech-text-in-conjunction-with-mydigital-and-malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint-launch-ceremony/?highlight=mydigital)
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Source: Technology vector created by starline – www.freepik.com
This digital ecosystem aims to be the main driver of sustainable economic growth in Malaysia. MyDIGITAL is set to bring massive improvements from low-hanging fruits and also long-term goals across all levels of society and through the collaboration of public and private entities in various sectors.
According to Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Chairman, Datuk Wira Dr Hj. Rais Hussin Mohamed Ariff said, in his statement published as a media release, “MYDIGITAL aims to provide a clear roadmap for the digital transformation of Malaysia in its pursuit of the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 to achieve social well-being, environmental sustainability and equitable economic development for the country. The blueprint advocates a human-centric approach centred on using technologies responsibly, preserving human values and cultural heritage.” (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), 2021, MDEC Pledges Unequivocal Support to Ensure Success of MyDIGITAL; the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. MDEC. https://mdec.my/wp-content/uploads/MDEC-Chairman-Statement-Malaysia-Digital-Economy-Blueprint.pdf)
His statement highlighted MDEC’s efforts in expanding the digital capabilities of Malaysians from the digital skills and jobs perspective. MDEC has rolled out initiatives such as ‘Let’s Learn Digital’ which organises free courses on digitalisation and technology. To date, more than 3,800 free courses have been offered to the Malaysian public and have been successfully garnered more than 21,000 applications. (Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), 2021, MDEC Pledges Unequivocal Support to Ensure Success of MyDIGITAL; the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. MDEC. https://mdec.my/wp-content/uploads/MDEC-Chairman-Statement-Malaysia-Digital-Economy-Blueprint.pdf)
Besides that, the Chairman also mentioned initiatives in the education and business sectors such as MyDigitalmaker, 100GoDigital, SME Digital Accelerator, Smart Automation Grant and SME Digital Quickwins, all of which produced commendable numbers and results.
(Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), 2021, MDEC Pledges Unequivocal Support to Ensure Success of MyDIGITAL; the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. MDEC.https://mdec.my/wp-content/uploads/MDEC-Chairman-Statement-Malaysia-Digital-Economy-Blueprint.pdf)
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In pursuit of a more connected, progressive and economically strong nation, the MYDIGITAL initiative through the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint needs to involve levels of society and entities in Malaysia. Although the public and private sectors may play distinctly different roles, it is vital to have absolute cooperation and determination from each level towards achieving the digital vision. Malaysian government agencies and their private partners are set on following through the plan and guidelines of the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint to lift the Malaysian economy, improve livelihood by diversifying and innovating ways to generate income as well as promote inclusivity through a digital ecosystem across the country and region.
(Prime Minister of Malaysia during his Speech in conjunction with MyDIGITAL and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint Launch Ceremony. https://www.pmo.gov.my/2021/02/speech-text-in-conjunction-with-mydigital-and-malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint-launch-ceremony/?highlight=mydigital)
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Malaysia has the resources and talents that can be harnessed to contribute greatly towards achieving the aspirations and aim to be a progressive and economically strong nation. Let us all play our respective roles to work towards these goals.
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References
Economic Planning Unit, Prime Minister’s Department. (2021). Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. https://www.epu.gov.my/sites/default/files/2021-02/malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint.pdf
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). (2021). MDEC Pledges Unequivocal Support to Ensure Success of MyDIGITAL; the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint. MDEC. https://mdec.my/wp-content/uploads/MDEC-Chairman-Statement-Malaysia-Digital-Economy-Blueprint.pdf
Prime Minister’s Office of Malaysia. (2021). Speech text in Conjunction with MyDIGITAL and Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint Launch Ceremony. https://www.pmo.gov.my/2021/02/speech-text-in-conjunction-with-mydigital-and-malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint-launch-ceremony/?highlight=mydigital
Sunil, P. (2021, February 22). Key highlights of the new Malaysia digital economy blueprint, a part of the MyDIGITAL initiative. https://www.humanresourcesonline.net/key-highlights-of-the-new-malaysia-digital-economy-blueprint-a-part-of-the-mydigital-initiative
Tan, J. Y. (2021, March 8). MyDigital to transform Malaysia digitally by 2030. Digital News Asia. https://www.digitalnewsasia.com/digital-economy/mydigital-transform-malaysia-digitally-2030