Key ICT Information

• As of June 2002, there were 2.297 million Internet subscribers in the country, with the number of users being almost seven million. In comparison, in 1997, just five years ago, the figures were a mere 0.2 million and 0.6 million respectively.
• The number of cellular phone subscribers in the country has jumped almost four-fold, from 2.4 million in 1997 to 8 million in June 2002. (http://www.cmc.gov.my/statisticframe.htm).
• NITC figures for 2000 indicate that more than 70 percent of Internet subscribers are located in Kuala Lumpur and the states of Selangor, Penang and Johor, with the remaining ten states having less than 30 percent of total Internet subscribers. (NITC, 2000: 15). Hence illustrating the Digital Divide.
• The bulk (60%) of ICT expenditure during the period 1996-2000 was in Manufacturing (16.5%), Banking and Finance (15%), Distribution (10.4%), Telecommunications (9.3%) and Government (8.3%) (Malaysia, 2001: 365).
• In 1994, the National IT Council (NITC) was established, chaired by Mahathir and made up primarily of government ministers and a smattering of top company executives, including the chairman of Shell Malaysia and the chief executive of Telekom Malaysia. The NITC "…aims to enhance the development and utilization of ICT as a strategic technology for national development…[and]…acts as a think-tank at the highest level and advises the government on matters pertaining to the development of ICT in Malaysia." (NITC, 2000: 1).
• NITC calculations on affordability indicate that Internet usage for a typical rural household would constitute 88 percent of disposable income, a percentage which, NITC concludes, 'is a considerable amount for ICT purchase'. (NITC, 2000: 17).

Quotes

• "One of the challenges, indeed, is to establish 'a scientific and progressive society…innovative and forward-looking' (Mahathir, 1991: 2-4). It has been further argued in this regard that 'The national IT agenda, aimed at transforming the nation into a knowledge-based society, [is] in line with Vision 2020'" - Government of Malaysia, 2001: 367
• "For a local software developer, the logic would be simple - produce in English and the risk of potential losses due to piracy is lightened, because the software can be sold to overseas markets, especially in areas where there is less piracy such as the United States and Western Europe, and which are also much larger markets". - The Star Tech.Plus Supplement, 18 July 2002

Source: Digital Review for Asia Pacific