NEWS: New ministry a plus for content industry

PETALING JAYA: The Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (Pikom) thinks it’s unnatural for the communcations industry to be under the newly-formed Ministry of Information, Communications, Culture and Arts.

But the Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) —custodian of the MSC Malaysia initiative — believes it was the right move by the Prime Minister when reshuffling the Cabinet.

MDeC chief executive officer Datuk Badlisham Ghazali told In.Tech that the country’s communications industry included content developers, which comprise a diverse mix of technologists and those into culture and the arts.

“You have a group of ­animators, game developers, film makers and even stage performers,” he said, “and the new ministry will help bring together these diverse individuals for the betterment of the industry.

“We see this as a positive step in aiding the local content industry.”

Badlisham said the ministry would also be able to ­encourage more local flavour in Malaysian-made content.

Doing this will make local content stand out in the global arena. “The world knows more about kung fu than silat,” he said. “Both are martial arts but the international audience knows less about silat, which can make Malaysian content more exciting.”

There is not a single policy now that states the rational for inculcating our arts and culture into locally produced content, according to Badlisham who believes the new ministry will be able to remedy this ­shortcoming.

“I see this ministry driving the content industry further forward,” Badlisham said on the sidelines of a signing ceremony between local ­technology company K-One Technology Bhd and US-based Smart-pen inventor Livescribe Inc last week.

Mismatch

Pikom said it was surprised to find the country’s communications initiatives placed under the purview of the Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Ministry.

It said the communications element — all important for the nation’s development — is at odds with the ministry’s other responsibilities.

“The element is significant since communication is high on the national agenda with the (planned) roll out of High Speed Broadband in the ­country, as well as the Government’s aim to achieve 50% broadband penetration by end 2010,” said Pikom ­chairman David Wong.

Previously, communications was the responsibility of the Energy, Water and Communications Ministry.

Pikom is disappointed that its call for a single Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Ministry has not been heeded.

Wong said the organisation now has to ferry between two ministries — the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and the Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Ministry.

He said having a single ministry for all things ICT would have sped up ­procedures for technology companies in the country because there is now overlap between the two ministries.

“This would be a pro-investor condition that would likely have helped increase foreign direct investment into Malaysia,” he said in a press statement.

“We envisage such a ministry would be specifically tasked to actively promote Malaysia’s ICT industry, ­develop constructive policies and guidelines to deal with global ICT ­deregulation and market ­liberalisation.”

Pikom, however, lauds the Government’s move to create a ministry to facilitate green technology — the Energy, Green Technology and Water Ministry.

“This will definitely see the nation adapt energy cost-saving measures, as well as take future environmental protection and preservation steps,” Wong said. “It will also transform Malaysia into a developed nation and society.”

New Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced the Cabinet ­reshuffle on April 9.