Want to improve Malaysia’s telecommunications infrastructure? Here’s your chance to be heard

The government has called all Malaysian youths, aged between 18 – 30 years old, to contribute their ideas and suggestions on how it can improve its 2019 – 2023 Strategic Plan through the Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) ministry’s ‘Ideas4KKMM’ competition.

The ministry adds that it would also accept submissions from Malaysians based overseas. The 10 best ideas and suggestions stand a chance to win prizes and an invitation to join Minister Dato Seri Saifuddin Abdullah, in a special roundtable session discussing the way forward for KKMM.

KKMM did not elaborate what prizes winners would receive for their ideas, if they were successfully chosen.

“I always believe the young generation have ideas and views that must be celebrated. They must be brought together in the process of making decisions,” said Dato Seri Saifuddin Abdullah.

Participants may choose to provide ideas and suggestions that relate to any of the 6 thrusts of KKMM’s strategic plan. This includes ideas for enhancing the nation’s telecommunications infrastructure, driving the digital economy and enhance existing regulations for the prevention of cybercrime.

Other thrusts areas the ministry is looking to drive forward include the enhancement of broadcasting services and the growth of a competitive creative industry. Apart from the six thrusts points, youths can also choose to submit general ideas and suggestions to KKMM.

The ideas and suggestions can be submitted in the form of an essay of not more than 750 words. They may be accompanied with relevant graphics or images relevant to their idea. It can be written in either Malay or English.

Interested in submitting your idea or suggestion? Go to KKMM’s website to submit them. The closing date for submissions is 10th July 2020.

A committee comprised of experts

The government is keen to receive input from various stakeholders in the planning and approaches of its policies for communication and multimedia issues. The recently formed The Communications and Multimedia Consultative Council (MPKM) is to serve as its platform.

The MPKM brings together representatives from three sectors: government, business (private) and civil society. It comprises of 15 members, including three from the Communications and Multimedia (KKMM) Ministry.

Saifuddin, acts as the committee’s chairman while his deputy Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin will act as its deputy chairman. The third member from KKMM is Datuk Suriani Ahmad who acts its secretary-general.

Other MPMK members include Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka board of control chairman Prof Datuk Dr Awang Sariyan; former Sarawak State Secretary  Tan Sri Mohamad Morshidi Abdul Ghani; 2019 National Journalist Award winner, Tan Sri Johan Jaafar; former National Space Agency director-general, Prof Emeritus Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman; and UEM Sunrise chairman, Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa.

Also in the MPKM are Third World Network Programme director, Chee Yoke Ling; National Tech Association of Malaysia (PIKOM) chairman, Danny Lee; Federation of Malaysian Consumers Association (FOMCA) chairman, Datuk Dr Paul Selvarajah; and Malaysian Youth Council vice-president, Kavita Mahendran.

Upon closer examination of the names in the comittee, there are several that stand out. There’s Tan Sri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa who has vast experience in the telecommunications industry spanning over 30 years.

He served as Telekom Malaysia Bhd’s group chief executive officer and managing director until took on in April 2008 until his retirement from TM in 2017. Among his achievement was the launching of TM’s high speed broadband service in 2010.

Another prominent name is Emeritus Prof Datuk Dr Mazlan Othman, the country’s first first-ever astrophysicist. A trailblazer in the realm of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), her achievements include launching the Malaysia Remote Sensing Satellite – TiungSAT and RazakSAT. She definitely brings lots of scientific knowledge to the committee and is well positioned to speak on matters related to aerospace technology.

Adding to that there is also Chee Yoke Ling who brings nearly 40 years of experience in sustainable development. The international lawyer focuses on climate change and intellectual property rights. Her past achievements include working on two national laws related to bio safety and the regulation of access to genetic resources.

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