PUTRAJAYA, Nov 30 — There is a need for Asean member countries to continue establishing rules and regulations to protect and promote for the long-term benefit of Information and Communication Technology and Internet users, says Communications and Multimedia Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Jailani Johari.
As communications policy makers and regulators, he said there was a need to be innovative and strive to establish rules and regulations which were flexible, nimble, extra-territorial and enforceable.
“We will need to be open to change to manage all possibilities and keep the environment safe for the millions within Asean who rely on the Internet, one way or another.
“We must continue to provide leadership and be in tune with consumer issues, stakeholder engagement and advocacy, trust and security, infrastructure, standards and data,” he said at the 17th Telecommunications and IT Minister’s Meeting at Siam Reap, Cambodia today.
The text of his speech was made available to Bernama.
To progress Asean’s digital economy, Jailani said it was crucial to achieve equivalence and alignment in policy and regulation.
He said networks making up communication channels and the Internet were the engine driving the digital economy.
“Malaysia has always placed high priority in working with our Asean colleagues. We look forward to collaborating with you to achieve our common aspirations, as outlined in the Asean ICT Masterplan 2020.
“We are in a unique industry which is evolving at a rate that is considered phenomenal. It is only by working together, hand in hand, that we will be able to chart a bright and integrated future for Asean’, he added.
Meanwhile, the deputy minister said it was a challenge to keep networks secure.
He said the global cost of cyber-crime was estimated at US$3 trillion in 2015 and that figure was set to double by 2021.
“Global ransomware damage in 2015 was estimated at US$325 million but by the end of this year, that figure is estimated to be US$5 billion,” he said. — Bernama
