The Malaysian government gained three recognitions within a single month when its eKL Initiatives (eKL) won several coveted awards for excellence in information and communications technology. eKL, managed by the eKL Division of the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), was launched in 2007.
As an extension of the Electronic Government flagship, the eKL Initiatives received the Government Technology Award 2009 for its Technology Leadership at the FutureGov Summit 2009 held in Bali, Indonesia on Oct 9, this year.
The award, in its third year, is to recognise best practice public sector technology programmes throughout Asia Pacific and the Gulf States.
MAMPU Director-General Datuk Normah Md Yusof said more than 600 entries participated in 12 different categories.
eKL and its projects have entered in seven categories: Technology Leadership, Wireless Government, Information Management, Service Innovation, E-Government, Connected Government and Business Process.
“eKL is part of the EG way forward to transform the Government’s service delivery system through the use of ICT to realise ‘One Government, Many Agencies, No Wrong Door’ principle.
“It is an effort to integrate service delivery across agencies in an effective and efficient manner to benefit citizens and businesses within the
Klang Valley and its vicinity.
“Thus, realising a digitally connected Klang Valley whereby services of all Government agencies are linked and the sharing of resources and information facilitates the provision of end-to-end interactive online services 24 x 365 via multiple service channels,” Normah explained.
To date, the eKL Initiatives has introduced a number of projects such as electronic payment (myBayar), mySMS 15888 Government SMS Gateway, online submission (myForms) and online news (myGov-Info). eKL Initiatives has also embarked on reengineering processes, procedures and forms.
“This is to improve the efficiency of Government service delivery, especially services that cuts across Government agencies,” she said.
Some of the reengineering projects that are readily accessible by citizen and businesses are JobsMalaysia (www.jobsmalaysia.gov.my) – offering jobs facilities for public and private sector employers and also job matching for job seekers; and Malaysia Government Portal (www.malaysia.gov.my), linked to all Government agencies website information and online services. The Malaysia Government Portal has won the WITSA Award in 2008.
Other re-engineering studies that have been undertaken by eKL
include:
> Doing ICT business in Malaysia;
> Loans and grants services;
> Outdoor Advertising approval services;
> Integrated call centre;
> International students intake; and
> Government forms.
While one of its project, mySMS 15888 has won the Best of e-Government and Services category at the MSC Malaysia Asia Pacific ICT Awards (MSC Malaysia APICTA) 2009 on Oct 8.
The project uses Short Messaging Service (SMS) technology to provide direct services between the citizen and the Government.
It is to extend the reach of Government services through mobile channels and leveraging on the high penetration rate of 28 million mobile subscribers.
“Citizens and businesses would enjoy a more convenient access and an alternative mode to government services through mySMS 15888
Government Gateway project,” she said.
Launched in July 2008, mySMS 15888 Government Gateway creates an alternative new direct delivery channel to government services,
other than over-the-counter, online and telephone services.
“It closes the digital divide between government agencies and citizens by integrating SMS with government agencies’ and departments’ databases, making information and services available to citizens and businesses at anytime and anywhere,” Normah said.
Under the facility, anyone, regardless of age, their level of information technology know-how and location, only need to remember a single
number – 15888 – for easy and speedier access to government services at a negligible cost.
Having implemented mySMS for one and a half years, it has been proven that citizen-centric SMS services benefited Malaysians with the creation of two communities: mySMS and OneJPJ with total registered members of 35,068.
The usage of the services has 2.5 million hits with a monthly average of 250,000 hits.
The MSC Malaysia APICTA 2009 Award also provides a platform to stimulate creativity, innovation and excellence in ICT in Malaysia, benchmark Malaysian ICT products and solutions, and recognise outstanding achievements in ICT of students, technopreneurs, SMEs and organisations with operations in Malaysia.
This annual Awards Programme has been initiated by the Multimedia Development Corporation since 1999, offering awards for 19 categories.
The Winners of MSC Malaysia APICTA receives a trophy and certificate.
According to Normah, MAMPU will also be representing Malaysia at the International Asia Pacific ICT Awards (APICTA) competing with the national award winners from other economies in the region for the APICTA Awards trophy in the Government Category.
Normah added, “adding to its accolades, mySMS also received a special award on Public Service Empowerment Through Mobility Innovation at The 2009 inOvation Malaysia Awards on 21 Oct.”
The 2009 inOvation Malaysia Awards honours and recognises innovative and outstanding achievements and focus to Malaysian companies that have developed or offer mobile content, applications or services.
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