KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said on Thursday that it is imperative for Asean to be in the mainstream of global information communication technology (ICT) development.
ICT, he said, was “probably the most fundamental tool” member countries had at their disposal to further strengthen the grouping by facilitating communications for the exchange of ideas and to strengthen bilateral as well as people to people relations.
For many Asean countries, however, inter Asean connectivity remained a challenge as rolling out ubiquitous modern broadband networks required huge investments, he added.
He said that much of the connectivity still routes to the United States and Europe before reaching a fellow Asean country.
“To remedy this, I propose that the Telmin (Asean Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting) consider focusing resources on improving pan-Asean connectivity in order to lower the cost of bandwidth in Asean,” he said in his speech when opening the 10th Telmin at Royale Chulan Hotel here.
Najib said if Asean countries were able to accomplish this, inter Asean connectivity would be greatly improved, as do opportunities for enhancing Asean-originated content and value creation for Asean products and services.
“Asean cannot afford not to be on the cusp of ICT development if it is to remain as the most attractive region for business and commerce for the world. If this is the Asian Century, then Asean must serve as a primary artery for trade and investment in the continent,” he said.
The Prime Minister also reminded Asean countries that in their earnest drive to develop their respective economies, they should not forget the new challenges brought about by the advancement in ICT.
In this context, he said cyber-criminals were getting more sophisticated and posed great risks to countries or governments.
“We need to step up our capacity-building to ensure that governments and law enforcement officials remain ahead of existing cyber threats, and on the pulse of emerging ones,” he said.
Najib pointed out that Asean countries must also look into the ethics of Internet use, adding that irresponsible and unethical behaviour in the borderless world of the Internet “must somehow be managed.”
He said the public and the future generation should be educated to use communications and ICT in a safe and responsible manner.
“In this regard our Eastern cultural and societal values can come into play. I strongly believe that in embracing development in ICT, it is important we do not forget our cultural roots and our values,” he said.
The Prime Minister said children and the future generation of Asean should retain their Asean cultural values and that they must be protected from the threats on the Internet.
On the Asean ICT Masterplan, to be unveiled tomorrow, Najib said he hoped Telmin members would give their full commitment in translating the masterplan into concrete initiatives that would fulfil the intended objectives.
Najib also said that since its inception over four decades ago, Asean had achieved much, but said that it must continuously change and adapt itself to changing times if it was to remain an effective and relevant grouping.
“Whether in ICT or in other areas where member countries work closely together, we must continue to strive to become the best regional grouping in terms of the value it brings to the people of Asean,” he said.
The meeting, themed “ICT: Positioning Asean for the Future,” is aimed at forging stronger ties among regional telecommunications fraternity.
Asean, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, consists of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. – Source: BERNAMA
As part of the project requirement, IRUD-NGN team has already presented the progress to The 10th ASEAN TELMIN/11th TELSOM at 10 January 2011. Dr. Lukito Edi Nugroho as one of team member presented the progress and result of the project in front of senior officers from 10 countries.In his presentation, Dr. Nugroho present the milestone of the project from paper works resulting in 4 working papers, field visit in Indonesia as well as in Thailand and also the recommendation formulation.
The workshop attended by the representatives of seven ASEAN Member States (each with one representative), ASEAN Secretariat and IRUD-NGN Project Team. The workshop significantly contributed to the research project. As highlighted by ASEAN ICT masterplan, the workshop objectives and discussion very much in line with ASEAN mission in ICT development. There are some keywords involved in the discussions, mainly on how to put socio-economic transformation of the community into better life. To achieve this, people should be empowered through various strategies implement by the countries. Some discussion on educational program giving the one of the most important aspect when preparing penetration of ICT to the rural village. The readiness of the people is very important in operate, maintain and more important on how to make the ICT is more usefull for them.