1 National Electronic Commerce Strategies The Malaysian Experience Ho Siew Ching Ministry of International Trade and Industry Malaysia Expert Meeting on Electronic Commerce Strategies: The Basic Elements of an Enabling Environment for E -commerce 10 – 12 July 2002, Geneva

2 Outline Malaysia’s Vision 2020 Response to the ICT Challenge Smart Partnership Approach Legislation Development of the Communications and Multimedia Industry Bridging the Digital Divide Transformation of Organisation Building National and Global Connections

3 Malaysia’s Vision 2020 By the year 2020, Malaysia is to be a united nation with a confident Malaysian society infused by strong moral and ethical values, living in a society that is democratic, liberal and tolerant, caring, economically just and equitable, progressive and prosperous, and in full possession of an economy that is competitive, dynamic, robust and resilient

4 Response to the ICT Challenge National Development Plan –7 th Malaysia Plan (1996 – 2000) –8 th Malaysia Plan (2001 – 2005) National IT Council –Chair: Prime Minister –Members: Public, Private, Non-Governmental/ Non-Profit sectors

5 Smart Partnership Approach Community Private Public

6 Legislation Basic Principles: –Recognition of the borderless and global nature of E-commerce –Flexibility and generic orientation to address the dynamic environment (technology neutral) –Consistency between paper-based laws and cyber laws –Clear and implementable / enforceable

7 Laws Passed / To be Tabled Laws Computer Crimes Act 1997 The Copyright (Amendment) Act 1997 The Telemedicine Act 1997 The Digital Signature Act 1997 Purpose Protect business, government and individual from offences related to the misuse of computers. Protect intellectual property rights of companies investing in the IT and multimedia environment. Regulate and control the practice of telemedicine using audio, video and data communications. Regulate the legal recognition and authentication of digital signature and licensing of certification authorities.

8 (Con’ t) Laws Passed / To be Tabled Laws The Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 The Communications and Multimedia Commission Act 1998 Proposed Privacy law Purpose Regulate and facilitate the development of the converging communications and multimedia industry. Establishment of a single independent authority to supervise all regulatory aspects of the communications and multimedia industry. Protection of personal data

9 Comprehensive Law Review Harmonise Existing Laws with the following Objectives: –Propose amendments to existing laws To fine tune over 739 federal legislations spanning across 22 ministries and departments –Propose new laws Electronic Transaction Act Electronic Government Activities Act

10 Development of the Communications and Multimedia Industry Institutional Arrangements New Regulatory Framework Key Policy Initiatives

11 Institutional Arrangements Single Ministry to formulate policies for telecommunications, computing and broadcasting (Ministry of Energy, Communications and Multimedia) Single autonomous regulating body for the convergent industry (Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission) An Appeals Tribunal to ensure fairness and just administration of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 Four industry forums to ensure participation of the convergent industry and consumers

12 Regulatory Framework Based on the following Principles: –Transparency –Flexibility and generic orientation (technology neutral) –Less rather than more regulation –Industry self regulation

13 Key Policy Initiatives Better Utilisation of Infrastructure –Creating critical mass for broadband services –Infrastructure sharing Increase Competition –Tariffs Rebalancing –Increase in the number of market players –Equal Access –Liberalisation of the last mile connection Develop ICT / Multimedia SMEs –Technopreneur Development Flagship

14 Bridging the Digital Divide Universal Service Fund PC Ownership Campaign Rural Internet Programmes E-community Programmes

15 Transformation of Organisation E-Government –Catalyst for increase ICT use –6 pilot projects to jumpstart the e-government initiative E-Corporation –Mobilise firm level activity Education and training Grants, soft loans Tax incentives

16 Building National and Global Connections Participation in International Fora –WTO, APEC, ASEAN Involvement in Cross Border Projects –Paperless trading

17 Thank you