KUALA LUMPUR – The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) believes that Budget 2024 will be able to transform Malaysia into an innovative and technologically advanced nation while empowering the digital economy.
This comes after RM25 million was allocated to empower the Digital Economy Centre (PEDi) in every state assembly. Currently, there are 911 PEDi facilities that operate as one-stop platforms for the people.
In a statement today, MCMC chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din said the allocation to PEDi will not only help empower entrepreneurs to improve their socioeconomic level but also contribute to the growth of the country’s digital economy.
“The PEDi allocation is capable of increasing income generation and helping create more employment opportunities,” said Salim.
Meanwhile, Salim also welcomed the RM20 million allocation by the government to strengthen the function of the National Scam Response Centre in combating online scams.
Similarly, he said the RM100 million allocation will encourage the adoption of digitalisation among 20,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He said this effort signifies a step towards improving each MSME’s quality of business as they expand their commerce towards a digital business model.
“MCMC will continue to be committed to ensuring the country’s digital economic growth agenda can empower the people towards high digital literacy as one of the main focuses,” said Salim.
In Budget 2024, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim allocated RM393.8 billion, where RM2.85 billion of the amount was towards the Communications and Digital Ministry.
RM100 million was allocated for digitalisation grants helping MSMEs to upgrade sales systems, inventory, and digital accounting, while another RM25 million will be to empower PEDis at every state legislative assembly to support small online businesses.
RM60 million was allocated to strengthen Malaysia’s cybersecurity protection through CyberSecurity Malaysia’s 5G Cyber Security Testing Framework development and local expertise on 5G technology. – October 14, 2023