Inclusion of digital technology in Budget 2022 will improve delivery of services -- DNeX

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 -- The inclusion of digital technology as a key economic enabler with the measures outlined in Budget 2022 will improve the delivery of services in both the public and private sectors. 

Dagang NeXchange Bhd (DNeX) group managing director Tan Sri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir said the Digital First Programme initiative is a testimony of the government’s seriousness and commitment to a digitally-enabled public sector in the future.

The initiative is aimed at increasing the use of cloud computing and encouraging the use of cloud storage in public services to 80 per cent next year.

"We believe the country needs to hasten the adoption of digitalisation as the technology can accelerate the recovery of the economy which has suffered a setback due to the COVID-19 pandemic especially in the small and medium enterprise (SME) segment,” he said. "This is where digital systems providers can play their role in providing solutions that are suited for the SME market such as cost-effective packages, modular solutions where SMEs can pick and choose the right systems they need, and subscription-based systems." 

National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) chairman Danny Lee said that the government’s pivot to cloud services is long overdue and hopes this will spur the uptake of cloud services in the public sector.

"The allocation for IR4.0 transformation, drone industry development, e-sports, and startups augurs well for the digital agenda and is somewhat aligned to the MyDIGITAL initiatives," he said. 

PIKOM views that the technology industry will continue to source for skilled talents, therefore the need to reskill and upskill Malaysians are imperative, said Lee.

"The tax deductions of up to RM7,000 for upskilling courses would boost this effort and complement the JaminKerja initiatives in creating 600,000 job opportunities," he added.

-- BERNAMA