OFFICIATING SPEECH BY YB SENATOR DATUK SERI G. PALANIVEL MINISTER IN THE PRIME MINISTER S DEPARTMENT AT THE NATIONAL DIGITAL CONFERENCE 2012 3 JULY 2012 (TUESDAY) PUTRAJAYA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION CENTRE (PICC) Salam Sejahtera, Selamat Pagi dan Salam 1 Malaysia YBhg. Datuk Seri Dr. Ali Hamsa Ketua Setiausaha Negara YBhg. Datuk Farida Mohd Ali Timbalan Ketua Pengarah Perkhidmatan Awam (Pembangunan) YBhg. Dato Mohamad Zabidi Zainal Ketua Pengarah MAMPU YBhg. Dr. Aminuddin Hassim Pengarah Institut Tadbiran Awam Negara (INTAN) YBhg. Datuk Mohd Badlisham Ghazali Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif MDeC Ketua-ketua Setiausaha, 1
Ketua-ketua Jabatan YBhg. Tan Sri-Tan Sri, Dato Seri-Dato Seri, Datuk-Datuk Dif-dif Jemputan Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan yang dihormati sekalian. ALU-ALUAN 1. Terlebih dahulu, saya ingin merakamkan setinggi-tinggi penghargaan dan terima kasih kepada INTAN, JPA, MDeC dan MAMPU kerana sudi menjemput saya untuk menyempurnakan perasmian persidangan ini dan seterusnya melancarkan Pelan Strategik Latihan ICT Sektor Awam 2011-2015. 2. Syabas dan tahniah saya ucapkan kepada penganjur kerana berjaya menganjurkan persidangan yang berprestij ini. Saya juga ingin mengalu-alukan kehadiran tuan-tuan dan puan-puan ke persidangan ini. Kehadiran ini adalah bukti komitmen dan sokongan tuan-tuan dan puan-puan dalam menjayakan inisiatif transformasi digital negara. Selamat datang, and welcome to NDC 2012. Ladies and Gentlemen, 2
3. It is undeniable that the knowledge-based economy with ICT as a key enabler is a significant driver of economic growth. Realizing the immense potential of ICT, the Government embarked on the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) initiative in 1996 as a strategy to accelerate Malaysia s entry into the Information Age and in gearing itself towards the objective of a high income and fully developed nation. 4. Since then, the institutional and policy framework for ICT has been strengthened to leverage on ICT to support national economic growth and development. ABOUT NDC 2012 5. This conference serves as a good platform to discuss and share ideas and strategies in enhancing the productivity and efficiency via digital technologies and applications as well as promoting innovation and creativity in public service delivery. It encourages open interaction in building a synergistic coalition between the Government and the ICT industry. I am sure you will all benefit tremendously from this conference. 3
GOVERNMENT COMMITMENT, CITIZENS AND TECHNOLOGY 6. The Government of Malaysia is committed to modernizing systems and regulations to serve the citizen through the implementation of various government initiatives and transformation plans. This includes contributions via provisions for talent capacity building, and funding the initiatives towards becoming a globally competitive and high income economy. 7. YAB PM in his speech at the Launching of the Talent Roadmap 2020 on 24th April 2012 reiterated that talent is a key ingredient on the road to a knowledge-intensive and innovation-led economy. Malaysia needs to be globally competitive in its ability to produce, attract and retain talent. 8. YAB PM also keeps reminding us that the Government is always listening and responding to the citizens. The day where the Government knows best is over. We welcome the people s suggestions on rules or regulations which will simplify public service processes and procedures towards serving the people better and in a more efficient manner. It is important that the people feel the benefits of the various initiatives introduced by the Government. 9. The implementation and spread of ICT projects must be balanced between the urban and rural areas in term of accessibility and affordability to bridge the digital divide between the two areas. I understand that MAMPU has rolled out the ekl initiative to the five strategic economic regions specifically the Iskandar Malaysia 4
Economic Region, the North Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the East Coast Economic Region (ECER), the Sarawak Corridor of Renewable Energy (SCORE), and the Sabah Development Corridor (SDC) under the Government Regional Electronic Advancement Transformation (GREAT) Program. 10. Another initiative was the development of the Rural Transformation Centre (RTC) which was launched by YAB PM in 2011. This centre acts as a one stop centre that centralizes all government services in one location. This transformation is manifested through the integrated delivery system by related agencies. Besides the provision of online services, what is important here is that active personal engagement with the citizen is continued. In the future, the new ICT initiative related to the digital transformation programme should fully utilize this centre. I am positive that all the services provided by these programmes will reach and benefit the citizens in the various regions. 11. The ultimate aim is to achieve a Citizen-centric and Whole of Government Public Service, where the public sector is committed to not merely meet but exceed the expectations and needs of citizens. Such a scenario demands that the Government adopt qualities of being Cost-Effective, Innovative, Transparent and Productive Government as the guiding principles. 12. Our public service is facing the challenges of the new landscape characterized by rapid technological advancement. In this regard, we should be sensitive to the changes in the trends to ensure that Malaysia does not lose out on the opportunity to 5
leverage on technology and new innovative business processes, as mentioned by YBhg. Datuk Seri KSN in his Keynote Address. CONCLUSION Ladies and Gentlemen, 13. I hope that policy-makers and industry partners will take this opportunity to strengthen their networking, and seek ways to collaborate and improve business productivity and performance during this conference. 14. It is important that the public and private sector work together to improve the technological readiness of our country in order to enhance our national competitiveness. Let us move forward together in our digital transformation agenda in the spirit of 1Malaysia: People First, Performance Now. 15. Once again, I would like to express my appreciation and gratitude to the organizers for the opportunity to address you distinguished participants at this conference today. 16. On that note, ladies and gentlemen, I hereby declare open the National Digital Conference 2012. Thank you. 6