Najib receives ICT award at UN HQ

Life had not been too kind to a young village woman living in the north of Malaysia after a car accident had robbed her ability to walk.

She was later given a computer, got connected online, and later created a website and managed a blog.

"Today, she runs a thriving online business and improving her livelihood by accessing unlimited opportunities offered through the Internet," Datuk Seri Najib Razak told a gala dinner after receiving the "ICTs in Sustainable

Development" Award in conjunction with the International Telecommunications Union’s (ITU) 150th Anniversary celebration, held at the United Nations headquarters here Saturday (Sunday in Malaysia).

The Prime Minister said the woman's income had increased many times over through her online business, and that she was experiencing the amazing difference that ICT had made to her life.

"This is truly the most meaningful manifestation of the life-changing power of ICT," Najib said.

Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Wahid Omar, Malaysian Ambassador to the United States Datuk Dr Awang Adek Hussin, Communications and Multimedia secretary-general Datuk Seri Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad and Malaysia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Datuk Ramlan Ibrahim.

Najib said for Malaysia to become an advanced economy and inclusive nation, the government had stressed on the importance of enhancing a knowledgeable and skilled ICT savvy society supported by a robust, vibrant and sustainable ICT industry.

He added that efforts would be strengthened to drive ICT in the knowledge economy through four main strategies – re-energising the ICT industry, ensuring adequate and continuous supply of high quality ICT human capital, improving ICT infrastructure and pursuing digital inclusion.

Najib said this would increase productivity through innovation and enhance competitiveness whilst engendering greater wealth creation.

"We believe that our nation will prosper through innovation and ICT to create a smart digital nation," he added.