PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia intends to remain at the forefront of technology by using data to deliver improved services for businesses, increase economic productivity and subsequently enhancing its competitiveness.

Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the commitment to fiberise the nation with 5G bandwidth and install data storage capacity following the rolling out of the MyDigital initiative together with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint was just the beginning.

"We are a small nation with big data ambitions," he said in his speech at the launching of the "Bersama Malaysia" (Together with Malaysia) initiative by technology giant Microsoft Corp here today.

Muhyiddin said the government planned to migrate 80 per cent of its data to the cloud by the end of next year. 

Reflecting on the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Muhyiddin said the situation had shown the most vulnerable segment of the people often lack access to technologies and at the greatest risk of being left behind.

"In this regard, we need and will raise, digital literacy across the board through a whole-of-society approach."

In his speech at the launching ceremony, Muhyiddin also provided updates on the development of the RM21 billion National Digital Network (Jendela).

"The plans are progressing smoothly and will provide greater last mile 4G connectivity to remote areas soon enough.

"Plans to roll out 5G connectivity, across all high-density areas by 2023, is also going full-steam ahead with the recent operationalisation of the government-owned SPV - Digital Nasional Bhd.

"All in all, I am happy to report that all the high impact touchstones under the MyDigital initiative are being executed as we speak. But more needs to be done. And this is where the 'Microsofts' of the world can and should step in."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/04/683549/muhyiddin-malaysia-remain-forefront-technology