The people want digitalization process fast, and the government will do just that - PM

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country has given the government an opportunity to implement immediate digitalization process, not only for the economic sector, but for all aspects including the administration.

The move, said Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, was critical in ensuring that the country is better prepared in the face of such crisis in the future.

He said the implementation of the digitalization process should also be expedited because in his mind, Malaysians could not wait any longer.

“They want it quickly. If we can get this done right away, then the goal I mentioned earlier, that is to look forward, the question of digitalizing of our people in all fields can be implemented in the not too distant future.

"This will involve planning, allocation, implementation issues, and the availability of facilities in the community, which will enable them to use what I refer to as existing data for their benefit," he added.

He said this in an exclusive interview with Astro AWANI Editor Essan Yahya, and Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM) presenter Zaleha Khairene Ismail at the Putra Perdana Building here recently that was aired tonight.

Muhyiddin said he was aware that the digitalization process should have started earlier, but there were certain constraints under the previous government administration.

“The e-government system, e-government, electronic government, which I have heard before, has been designed. I've been told so far maybe 30 to 40 per cent. I have instructed to speed up the process, to speed it up ... so that in any situation of society, the government is ahead.

“If this happens, the people will adjust. So, the process of digitalization, both in terms of government administration, in business affairs, in daily life, will be a trend in our future,” he added.

To ensure that the process is successful, Muhyiddin said the government would plan well, especially in the matter of creating the much-needed infrastructure.

“We need to provide the complete infrastructure for that purpose, and we may also provide incentives, in addition to the education system for the community, and our children in school, and in business.

“If those involved in the business sector are already beginning to venture into e-commerce and such, then this must be accelerated further. So, this, for me, is an exciting development, a new trend,” he said.