The Communications And Multimedia Ministry (KKMM) is committed to ensure the development and comprehensive use of the big data in the country to enhance the government's ability to provide best service to the people.

Deputy secretary-general (operations), Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Mohamad Nor said the government''s ability, especially in decision-making based on facts and information, could also be enhanced with the implementation of the big data pilot project.

To realise the goal, he said the ministry worked closely with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) to support the development and comprehensive use of the big data.

"In addition, the ministry is also working with the Open Data Institute, an international body that promotes open-source data and big data analytics, to help improve the country''s position in the rating of e-government index at international level.

"KKMM is also in collaboration with the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit and the Malaysian Digital Economy Corporation to drive the implementation of National Big Data Analytic by implementing its pilot project of big data in public sector in 2015 which ended last year," he said here today.

He said this when officiating the two-day World Telecommunication and Information Society 2017 celebration beginning today, at the Tanjung Kling Post Office and Rural Internet Centre here that was also attended by Telekom Malaysia Melaka general manager Datuk Rozlan Mohamed.

The programme, held in conjunction with the anniversary of ITU establishment and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865, celebrated on May 17, is aimed at bringing the digital economy to rural communities.

Big data is high-volume, high-velocity and high-variety information collected to help decision making such as to control prices of goods so it would not burden the people; identify the causes of crimes and curb the trend; to analyse people's views of the government, to enable the government to provide the best service to the people.

Mohd Ali said the development and progress in information and communication technologies brought many benefits, but the ministry was also aware that it could be misused to pose a threat to peace and security of the nation.

-- BERNAMA