Malaysia committed to helping ASEAN secure data flow and enhance cybersecurity - Saifuddin

Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said apart from the framework, Malaysia will also continue to support the ASEAN Data Protection and Privacy Forum and the development of ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses.

“Malaysia is also committed to promoting the development of professional cybersecurity certification programmes for ASEAN in helping to create world-class cybersecurity personnel.

“Cybersecurity Malaysia (CSM), an agency under the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia has established a local cybersecurity professional certification scheme known as Global ACE (the Global Accreditation Cybersecurity Education Scheme) which Malaysia would like to offer to ASEAN member states.”

Saifuddin said this in his welcoming speech at the first ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting via teleconference today.

“However, much still remains to be done in the journey to become a competitive and integrated digital economic bloc especially under current circumstances,” the minister said alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic and the new normal that the world has to live with.

Saifuddin also acknowledged ASEAN’s achievement in the digital sphere over the last 10 years as the testament to how far the region has come, having been guided by ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2015 (AIM2015) and the ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2020 (AIM2020).

He said while ASEAN countries find a footing in promoting economic recovery and transitioning to a new normal, the ASEAN’s Digital Masterplan 2025 will steer the region through the next five years of digital development.

Saifuddin also shared Malaysia's effort to open up greater access to the Internet by upgrading its digital infrastructure, that includes the Jalinan Digital Negara or JENDELA for short and the establishment of the National Digital Economy & 4IR Council to oversee digital skills, jobs, businesses, investments, infrastructure, emerging technologies, government and community digital adoption as well as data and cybersecurity.

Saifuddin is chairing the two-day virtual ADGMIN1 hosted by Malaysia that begins today, with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin delivering his keynote address virtually during the opening ceremony of the event.

The meeting follows the two-day ASEAN Digital Senior Officials Meeting (ADGSOM1) chaired by Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohammad Mentek.

Themed "ASEAN: A Digitally Connected Community", the meeting seeks to strengthen cooperation among ASEAN countries towards building digital ecosystems as a pillar in the post-COVID-19 development plan.