Various programmes implemented to bridge digital gap in Malaysia
The Malaysian Government has taken various steps to bridge the digital gap in Malaysia.
Minister of Digital, Gobind Singh Deo, said among the programmes initiated by the ministry and its agencies are MyDigitalMaker, Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI), and the Jelajah Saya Digital campaign.
Gobind, during his winding-up speech on the Supply Bill 2025 in the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 12, said MyDigitalMaker aims to instil interest and innovation in digital technology among school students.
“This is to create a generation of technology manufacturers, instead of technology users,” he said.
The initiative was launched in August 2024. Up until September this year, 2.6 million students in the country have taken part in digital activities, including coding, robotics, application development, data analysis, and operating drones.
“At the higher education level, the Ministry of Digital has carried out the PDTI programme, which aims to acknowledge and elevate higher learning institutions that excel in the implementation and usage of digital technologies, and in creating high-quality graduates.
“Since 2017 until September 2024, seven public higher learning institutions, 10 private higher learning institutions, and seven polytechnics have been awarded the ‘Digital Technology Premier Institute’ status. Over 60,000 graduates have been produced from the 42 faculties and departments, of these accredited institutions.”
Regarding the Malaysia Digital (MD) Workforce Movement, Gobind said, up until August 2024, 52,907 individuals have benefitted from the initiatives of the programme. These initiatives include cyber security, data analysis, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI), with most of them targeted to fulfil the requirements of the data centre and other technology-related industries.
Gobind added the Ministry of Digital has also embarked on initiatives to create digital business and entrepreneurial opportunities.
“Through the e-Usahawan programme, those living in rural areas can carry out small businesses through e-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and Facebook Marketplace. They can market their local products, such as agricultural produce or handicrafts, to a larger market, including major cities in the country and abroad.
“Since 2015 until September 2024, more than 590,000 entrepreneurs have been trained. The total impact of sales recorded is RM1.28 billion.”
Gobind said the Jelajah Saya Digital campaign, introduced in 2021, was aimed at exposing Malaysians to the various digital economy initiatives in the country.
“This campaign, held in 82 locations nationwide, has benefitted 51,786 individuals in understanding basic digital literacy. They will then be encouraged to join digital programmes based on their passion and skills.
“In this year’s series, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, with the cooperation of the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, MYNIC, and MIMOS Berhad, targets 40,000 participants to be involved physically, with another four million to take part online,” he added.
