Digital sector set to thrive with allocation
KUALA LUMPUR: Digital players are expected to thrive with the measures and initiatives announced in the 2017 Budget, which aim to stimulate the Internet economy.
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer Datuk Yasmin Mahmood said digital inclusivity was vital as Malaysians were the key drivers to the larger economy.
“With the government allocating RM100 million, we will be able to drive these initiatives and encourage greater cross-collaboration to support our nation’s digital programmes.
“Initiatives that target youths, smalland mediumsized enterprises and the B40 income group, such as eRezeki a n d e U s ahawan, have benefited 100,000 Malaysians and we expect more people to benefit in the coming years,” she said here yesterday.
Yasmin said MDEC’s forecast had revealed that there was a need for one million digital workers, such as coders, application developers and software engineers, by 2025.
The budget, Yasmin said, offered the start-up community the muchneeded support for an ecosystem that suited the nature of their business.
“In tandem with growing the local start-up community, efforts to attract foreign knowledge technology entrepreneurs to the country will catalyse the nation’s growth.”
The RM1 billion in allocation to increase the coverage and quality of broadband to Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission, she said, was welcomed.
“Equally important, is the decision to double the broadband speed at half the price in two years’ time.
“This shows the government’s appreciation for faster digital connectivity at an affordable price.”
National ICT Association of Malaysia chairman Chin Chee Seong echoed the same sentiment, saying the move was long overdue.
“We hope the implementation will be swift.
“This is a right step. However, the government’s decision not to make ICT goods and services GST (Goods and Services Tax) zero rated is a missed opportunity to benefit all Malaysians.”