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National Electronic Commerce Strategies The Malaysian Experience

Ho Siew Ching

Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia

Expert Meeting on Electronic Commerce Strategies:

The Basic Elements of an Enabling Environment for E -commerce

10 – 12 July 2002, Geneva

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Outline• Malaysia’s Vision 2020• Response to the ICT Challenge• Smart Partnership Approach • Legislation• Development of the Communications and

Multimedia Industry• Bridging the Digital Divide• Transformation of Organisation• Building National and Global Connections

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Malaysia’s Vision 2020

By the year 2020, Malaysia is to be a united nation with a confident Malaysian society infused by strong moral and ethical values, living in a society that is democratic, liberal and tolerant, caring, economically just and equitable, progressive and prosperous, and in full possession of an economy that is competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient

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Response to the ICT Challenge

• National Development Plan– 7th Malaysia Plan (1996 – 2000)– 8th Malaysia Plan (2001 – 2005)

• National IT Council– Chair: Prime Minister– Members: Public, Private, Non-Governmental/

Non-Profit sectors

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Smart Partnership Approach

Community

Private Public

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Legislation

• Basic Principles: – Recognition of the borderless and global nature

of E-commerce– Flexibility and generic orientation to address

the dynamic environment (technology neutral) – Consistency between paper-based laws and

cyber laws – Clear and implementable / enforceable

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Laws Passed / To be Tabled

Laws

Computer Crimes Act 1997

•The Copyright (Amendment) Act 1997

•The Telemedicine Act 1997

•The Digital Signature Act 1997

Purpose

Protect business, government and individual from offences related to the misuse of computers.

Protect intellectual property rights of companies investing in the IT and multimedia environment.

Regulate and control the practice of telemedicine using audio, video and data communications.

Regulate the legal recognition and authentication of digital signature and licensing of certification authorities.

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(Con’ t) Laws Passed / To be Tabled

Laws

•The Communications and Multimedia Act

1998

•The Communications and Multimedia

Commission Act 1998

•Proposed Privacy law

Purpose

Regulate and facilitate the development of the converging communications and multimedia industry.

Establishment of a single independent authority to supervise all regulatory aspects of the communications and multimedia industry.

Protection of personal data

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Comprehensive Law Review

• Harmonise Existing Laws with the following Objectives: – Propose amendments to existing laws

To fine tune over 739 federal legislations spanning across 22 ministries and departments

– Propose new lawsElectronic Transaction Act

Electronic Government Activities Act

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Development of the Communications and Multimedia Industry

• Institutional Arrangements

• New Regulatory Framework

• Key Policy Initiatives

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Institutional Arrangements• Single Ministry to formulate policies for

telecommunications, computing and broadcasting (Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia)

• Single autonomous regulating body for the convergent industry (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission)

• An Appeals Tribunal to ensure fairness and just administration of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998

• Four industry forums to ensure participation of the convergent industry and consumers

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Regulatory Framework

• Based on the following Principles:– Transparency – Flexibility and generic orientation (technology

neutral)– Less rather than more regulation– Industry self regulation

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Key Policy Initiatives• Better Utilisation of Infrastructure

– Creating critical mass for broadband services– Infrastructure sharing

• Increase Competition – Tariffs Rebalancing– Increase in the number of market players– Equal Access– Liberalisation of the last mile connection

• Develop ICT / Multimedia SMEs – Technopreneur Development Flagship

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Bridging the Digital Divide

• Universal Service Fund

• PC Ownership Campaign

• Rural Internet Programmes

• E-community Programmes

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Transformation of Organisation• E-Government

– Catalyst for increase ICT use– 6 pilot projects to jumpstart the e-government

initiative

• E-Corporation– Mobilise firm level activity

Education and trainingGrants , soft loansTax incentives

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Building National and Global Connections

• Participation in International Fora– WTO, APEC, ASEAN

• Involvement in Cross Border Projects– Paperless trading

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Thank you