Digital Inclusion Initiatives Should Be For All - M'sian DPM Muhyiddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- It is most imperative for digital inclusion efforts be implemented for rural communities, vulnerable populations and marginalised groups, said Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. He noted that urban populations were gearing up towards the environment of smart cities and that urban lifestyles were increasingly becoming more digital. "Rural communities and those who have yet to be connected or who are less connected than others stand to be left further behind if this digital disparity between the rural and the urban is not addressed accordingly," he said. Muhyiddin said this when opening KL Converge 2014, a three-day multi-platform creative industry conference and exhibition at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC) here Wednesday. Present were Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek and International Telecommunication Union deputy secretary-general Houlin Zhao. Muhyiddin pointed out that as far as Malaysia was concerned, the household broadband penetration was at 68 per cent, thanks to the concerted effort of all players, namely policymakers, regulators and those from the industry. Muhyiddin noted that the National Broadband Plan launched in 2010 and the corresponding policies had helped Malaysia achieve the current penetration rates in a short time. "What has been gratifying to us is being ranked by the Alliance for Affordable Internet as being the first among 46 emerging countries with affordable oadband," he said. He pointed out that far from being complacent, Malaysia continued its effort to improve, with the focus up to had been on providing access and raising the penetration rates as well as improving quality of service to create a better digital experience. Under the National Key Economic Areas, the government has identified the communications, content and infrastructure industry as one of the areas to be transformed to propel Malaysia into a high-income economy league. "What's crucial is the paradigm shift that will have to take place to move from providing infrastructure and access, to providing applications and content to create a knowledge-based economy that in turn will accelerate economic expansion and lead to the generation of income," he said. Muhyiddin also highlighted that with roughly half of Asean's population projected to be urban by 2030, it was not surprising that Asean governments were still actively trying to connect rural communities with broadband facilities. "I've been told that rolling out the infrastructure is the relatively easy part, the hard work starts after the infrastructure is in place - with adoption, and then comes value creation - through content and apps," he said. He expressed hope that KL Converge would open up more opportunities for all within the region to address relevant issues and explore ideas to bring about changes in all aspects, particularly the economy of the region. The multi-platform creative industry conference and exhibition is premised on the convergence of communications, broadcasting, digital technology and creative content like films, animation, music and drama. It is organised by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the National Film Development Corporation (Finas). Also taking place is Content Malaysia 2014 designed to equip local audio-visual and content creation professionals with all the tools to maximise their potential and business edge. -- BERNAMA