Expediting 5G technology, strengthening cybersecurity KKMM's 2021 main priorities - Saifuddin

PUTRAJAYA: Expediting the implementation of 5G technology and strengthening cybersecurity technology are among the five main focuses of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) this year.

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the other three focuses of KKMM were increasing foreign investment in the digital economy, internationalising Malaysia's creative industry and transforming Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM).

He said the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) would focus on the successful implementation of 5G technology which would complete internet connectivity nationwide and be a catalyst for the development of a more vibrant digital economy.

According to him, until December last year, the National Digital Infrastructure Plan (JENDELA) led by MCMC has managed to reach 5.4 million premises covered by fibre optics, mobile broadband speed of 25.6 Mbps and 92.03 percent 4G coverage.

"KKMM has also managed to get the government's approval to make telecommunication services a public utility," he said when launching the “Menghormati Lambang-Lambang Kebesaran Negara” (Respecting National Emblems) book and KKMM Annual Report Card March 2020-March 2021 here today.

Also present were KKMM secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek and Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Chief Executive Officer Datuk Mokhtar Hussain.

To strengthen cybersecurity technology, Saifuddin said CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) would implement SiberKasa to develop, empower and strengthen the country's cybersecurity infrastructure.

"This covers three main components, namely people, processes and technology. As an internationally recognised agency, CSM will expand its involvement at ASEAN and international levels," he said.

He said CSM had played a significant role in ensuring the resilience of the systems used by ministries and government agencies, including through the #OpsWakeUp21 operation in which it is capable of thwarting cyberattacks.

"It has also resolved 90.16 per cent of the cases investigated and 92.34 per cent of the complaint cases received. The #CyberSAFE cyber security awareness programme has benefited more than 30,000 individuals," he said.

Saifuddin said the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) would work with the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) to increase foreign investment in the digital economy.

According to him, various programmes organised by MDEC such as Local e-Commerce Services (PeDAS) and e-Rezeki have expanded the involvement and increased the capabilities of various groups and levels of society including persons with disabilities (PwD) which has benefited 420,000 people.

As for the internationalisation of Malaysia's creative industry, Saifuddin said KKMM would start the Road to Oscar and Road to Grammy as well as the Kuala Lumpur Cultural and Heritage Trail action plans.

He said KKMM would also organise the first Malaysian International Nasyid Awards this year which would recognise Malaysia as the Home of Contemporary Nasyid.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin said that this year, his ministry would start a comprehensive transformation plan for RTM, which was to feature anchors or news programmes and current affairs that could attract more audience.

"The transformation also includes promoting the RTM Orchestra to the international level and launching a new sports channel," he said.

Over the past year, he said, KKMM had played an instrumental role in the formulation of several new policies including MyDigital, creative industry development, gig economy as a formal economy and Rukun Negara education.

According to the KKMM Annual Report Card, the five key achievements of the ministry last year were JENDELA, the implementation of the Malaysian Creative Industry Stimulus Package (PRISMA) which benefits the creative industry; driving the digital economy, the ASEAN Digital Master Plan and elevating the nasyid industry.

pThrough the implementation of JENDELA, 92 per cent of 4G mobile broadband coverage is now in populated areas until the third quarter of 2020 and the average increase in mobile broadband is 25.6 Mbps./p

To drive the country's economy through digitisation, the Digital Economy Task Force (DETF) has been set up to coordinate the implementation of various digital economy initiatives to drive the country's economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the report card, 30,588 individuals have participated in the CyberSAFE programme in an effort to strengthen the country's cybersecurity last year, adding that KKMM also strengthened the country's digital laws by conducting a study on the proposed creation of the Anti-Cyber Bullying Act.

The distribution of the questionnaire was conducted from Nov 20 to Dec 4 last year involving 1,857 respondents with the majority demanding the enactment of specific legislation.

In addition, the efficiency and effectiveness of government communications management were enhanced with the existence of the COVID-19 war room and the KKMM rapid response team where 416 false news denials were published.

PRISMA was launched on Feb 5 this year to support the development of the creative industry in the country with RM89.2 million provided under the existing development allocation to implement 32 programmes.

According to the report card, the package will benefit more than 9,000 creative industry players with over 40,000 jobs to be created.

-- BERNAMA