PUTRAJAYA: The allocation of RM2.737 billion provided to the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (K-KOMM) in Budget 2023 will enhance the efforts to elevate the digital interconnectedness, digital economy, cyber security and creative industry that will give positive impact to the industry and the targeted group.
Its Minister, Tan Sri Annuar Musa said, the increase of 4.28 per cent in the allocation has proven the government’s commitment to ensure that everybody has access to a higher quality of telecommunication and Internet services.
Annuar added, the budget will also increase the participation in the activities and contribution in e-commerce, reduce the risk of threats of cyber crimes and invigorate the national creative industry.
“The government will continue the efforts to provide the latest broadband facilities under the National Digital Network Plan (JENDELA) with the allocation of RM700 million to implement the digital connectivity in 47 industrial areas and 3,700 schools.
“To increase the 5G services in order to reach the targeted reach up to 70 per cent in highly populated areas, RM1.3 billion is allocated in 2023 for Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) to implement the development of 5G infrastructures,” Annuar said in a statement after the Budget 2023 was unveiled on 7th Oct.2022 at the Parliament.
Meanwhile, in the effort to widen the access of digital economy network to the people, RM59 million has been allocated to encourage e-commerce activities that will be implemented via the strategic collaboration between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE and Majlis Amanah Rakyat (MARA).
Besides that, MDEC will widen the 264th Digital AgTech Farmers’ Association Areas Programme nationwide with the allocation of RM20 million to train more small holders to adapt with the digital technology.
Annuar also stressed that RM73 million has been allocated to empower the CyberSecurity Malaysia to strengthen the monitoring, detection and cyber threats report including building the competency of the cyber forensic system.
“To protect the people from becoming victims of cyber crimes, the government has decided to form the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) that involves the cooperation of the Royal Police Malaysia (RPM) Bank Negara Malaysia, Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the National Financial Criminal Protection Center (NFCC) with the strategic cooperation of finance institutions.
“NSRC will start operating this month and will act based on the reports received to stop the account and take action on the cyber criminal,” Annuar added.
The Minister also mentioned that the creative industry has also been highlighted in Budget 2023. The focus this time is to produce contents that will instil the patriotism spirit among the Keluarga Malaysia. In relation to that, RM50 million has been allocated for Nationalism Film Production Fund (DEKAN).
“K-KOMM welcomes the increase in the allocation of the Digital Content Fund (DKD) amounting to RM102 million compared to RM60 million in 2021,” Annuar said. –Malaysia World News
