Microsoft Malaysia hails budget allocation to increase internet speed

Microsoft Malaysia will continue to partner the Malaysian government to be the conduit of opportunity for a digital nation, said its Managing Director K Raman.

“As a technology enabler, we see the importance of a more connected, digital nation, rooted in openness and collaboration, and fuelled by inclusion, innovation and growth,” he said in a statement here today.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, who is also Finance Minister, when tabling the Budget 2016 themed "Prospering the Rakyat", announced a RM1.2 billion allocation to increase Internet speeds in rural areas from 5Mbps to 20Mbps.

Microsoft Malaysia also expressed support for the government’s allocation to bridge the digital divide within the nation, as Malaysia strives toward being a developed nation.

“The Budget 2016 is another step forward in paving the way for Malaysia to become a knowledge-based, high-income nation by 2020,” Raman said.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Officer of Ideate Media Sdn Bhd Zainir Aminullah said he believed that Malaysia is well-positioned to move from the existing production-led state towards an industry that approaches every step of creative content development in a cohesive manner -- from ideation to production and commercialisation.

“We need to encourage the incubation and ownership of local intellectual property (IP) rights, and move beyond being an outsourcing production hub,” he said, adding this would not only provide greater opportunities for local players but also increase the ability to broaden exports of Malaysian-made content and drive a sustained funding environment."