Malaysia’s Science and Technology ministry & Communications and Multimedia ministry drive Digital Economy Task Force

• Ministers co-chair first meeting, goal to stimulate economic growth
• 15 high impact programmes discussed, with startup involvement key

The Minister of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia, Saifuddin Abdullah and the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Khairy Jamaluddin co-chaired the first meeting of the Digital Economic Task Force (DETF) in Cyberjaya on 24 July 2020. The DETF comprises 32 members including senior officials from relevant Ministries and Government agencies, industry representatives as well as representatives of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

Empowering the Digital Economy is a key agenda of the country. With this in mind, the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (KKMM) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (Mosti), through the DETF, will accelerate and stimulate the nation's economic sectors that have been affected by Covid-19.

This aspiration can be achieved in the new norms now seen worldwide, where the Digital Economy has become an every day part of Malaysian lives. At the same time, efforts made by the Ministries, agencies and those in the private sector within the Digital Economy framework will also contribute to increasing Malaysia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It was also announced that the Digitalisation of Government Services Delivery initiative has also been included in the Science, Technology, Innovation and Economics (STIE) program under the National Policy on Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTIN) 2021-2030 through what the two ministries call “Digital Tsunami activities”. Mosti via Mimos Bhd and Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd will expand the adoption of big data analytics and artificial intelligence to ensure value added creation.

Both ministries feel that the establishment of the DETF represents the best and most appropriate opportunity to play an important role in coordinating the implementation of the various digital economic initiatives to drive the country's economic recovery, guided by the main thrust of the National Economic Recovery Plan (PENJANA) announced on 5 June 2020. The work of the DETF is guided by four main thrusts namely, empowering the people, propelling businesses, stimulating the economy and enablers.

The DETF meeting discussed the 15 high-impact programs under the four thrusts to accelerate the digitisation of the national economy and make Malaysia a digital and high tech nation, namely;

Thrust  1: Empowering the People

1. Development of digital economy talent
2. The Gig Economy
3. E-Learning (digital education)
4. Adoption of cashless payments

Thrust  2: Propelling Businesses

5. Adoption of e-commerce
6. Digitisation of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
7. Technology Platforms
8. Innovation in startups
9. Digital Creative Industry
10. Government E-Procurement between SMEs

Thrust  3: Stimulating the Economy

11. Attract investments
12. Digitalisation of the public sector

Thrust  4: Enabling capabilities

13. Digital infrastructure
14. Cyber ​​security
15. Data sharing 

Apart from that, participants agreed that the DETF must ensure a more orderly coordination between agencies while avoiding overlapping of activities related to the development of the country's digital economy. The meeting also emphasised the importance of local industry involvement, including startups in the supply of digital products and services to public and private sectors in order to empower the development of the country's digital industry. Cyber trust and security are also to be emphasised to encourage the use of digital platforms in business transactions and data sharing.

DETF meetings will be held periodically and the findings reported to the Cabinet to ensure successful implementation of every high-impact project.