Depts, agencies must adapt to 5G to spread info

PUTRAJAYA: Departments and agencies under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM), particularly the Information Department (JaPen), must pioneer a new method in delivering information regarding government initiatives, including adapting 5G technology in the ecosystem.

KKMM Deputy Secretary-General (Strategic Communications and Creative Industry) Shakib Ahmad Shakir said even though existing approach was still effective, a new approach was needed to cater to the needs of young people.

“As the voting age has been lowered from 21 to 18 years, the messages to be delivered to young voters also important.

“Thus, the delivery method must also be different by taking into account the interests and views of the youngsters,” he told reporters after JaPen’s Innovation and Excellence Day 2019 yesterday.

Shakib said a creative and innovative approach in the information delivery system would ensure the government’s messages were effectively delivered to the people.

Meanwhile, Information Department Director-General Roselindawati Abdul Rahman said a collective involvement of the departments and agencies under KKMM was important to solidify the public information delivery system.

She said JaPen was currently working together with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) to disseminate public information and would expand into other agencies such as Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Mynic Bhd next year.

“By collaborating and leveraging other agencies’ expertise, the delivery system could be expanded further,”she added.

Roselindawati said JaPen too was facing challenges in delivering information as today’s society was more interested in getting news in real time.

“We will try harder to deliver information as fast as possible by reviewing the delivery system as well as venturing into new technology so that the dissemination of information could be done simultaneously (involving several places) without going down to the ground such as via Skype,” she added.

JaPen’s Innovation and Excellence Day is an annual event, to among others, acknowledge its personnel who have successfully cultivated creativity and innovation in the department’s efforts to improve the delivery of information to the people, as well as transform 143 People Information Centre nation wide, despite constraints in terms of outdated equipment.