Malaysia Can Benefit From China's Experience In Internet Plus Implementation

From Nashir Mansor BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Malaysia can benefit from China's experience in implementing their Internet Plus programme, says Communication and Multimedia Minister Dr Salleh Said Keruak. Speaking during the 11th ASEAN+China Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting held here, Salleh expressed Malaysia's appreciation to China for its continuous support of ASEAN's ICT development efforts. He also conveyed Malaysia’s support for the ASEAN-China ICT Work Plan 2017, as well as the Action Plan for Deepening the China-ASEAN Partnership for Common Development in the ICT Field (2017–2021). The five-year Action Plan focuses on six areas of cooperation, including development of ICT infrastructure, innovation, network security, human resource building and intergovernmental dialogues and exchanges. Salleh commented that of particular interest to Malaysia would be China’s Internet Plus initiative which aimed to integrate the Internet with traditional industries, and fuel economic growth. "We have to learn from best practices if we are to progress our Internet Economy, and the best place to start learning is from our strategic partners and ASEAN Dialogue Partners, like China, who have proven to be successful in such programmes," he said. The 11th ASEAN+China Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting is one of the related meetings held as part of the 16th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting (TELMIN) in Bandar Seri Begawan from Nov 25–26, 2016. In addition to China, ASEAN TELMIN will also be in discussions with Japan and the Republic of Korea to advance ICT cooperation with these two countries. Meanwhile, Salleh welcomed the ASEAN Cybersecurity Cooperation Hub project proposed to start in 2017, as it would help to strengthen ASEAN’s capacity to manage cyber threats He expressed support for phase one of the project which had been proposed by Japan and discussed during the 11th ASEAN+Japan Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers Meeting here. Phase one of the project will see a study carried out to assess the feasibility of establishing a physical hub in ASEAN, cybersecurity incident handling exercises and an ASEAN Youth Cybersecurity Technical Challenge (Cyber SEA Games). At the conclusion of the meeting, ASEAN TELMIN conveyed appreciation to Japan for continued support of ASEAN’s ICT development efforts and in the implementation of the ASEAN ICT Masterplan 2020. -- BERNAMA