Rhe Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) announced 2 initiatives aimed at driving Open Data among government ministries and agencies: a strategic partnership with Open Data Institute (ODI), an independent, non-profit expert in Open Data and the launch of National Open Data Champions – a group of selected individuals to advise and support government agencies on Open Data implementation and execution.
The announcement was made in collaboration with the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (MAMPU), and officiated by the Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia.
“Open Data is simply free, non-personal data by the government that can be used and shared by anyone. Local entrepreneurs and businesses can use these data to derive trends and insights that can help them inform on innovative business solutions and models – the primary goal of the National Big Data Analytics (BDA) Initiative that MDeC is driving,” said Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of MDeC.
Entrepreneurs and businesses can search and use data sets such as weather reports, bus schedules, price of essential goals, Dengue hotspots, among others – available on www.data.gov.my, Malaysia’s official Open Data portal.
“Certain data released by Government agencies and ministries open up an endless field of opportunity to all sectors, giving anyone the chance to innovate and create new solutions which can benefit both businesses and the rakyat. MDeC’s strategic partnership with ODI and collaboration with MAMPU is a great example of private public partnership, which is essential in accelerating BDA adoption on a national scale”.
MDeC’s continuous efforts in unlocking the value of Open Data include a partnership with Open Data Institute (ODI), founded by Sir Professor Nigel Shadbolt and the World Wide Web inventor, Sir Tim Berners-Lee. The ODI is the key strategic advisor to the United Kingdom government, which is ranked number 1 in the Open Data Barometer, part of the World Wide Web Foundation’s assessment method for Open Data that analyses the readiness, implementation and impact of Open Data initiatives around the world.
“The Open Data Institute looks forward to working with Malaysia to help improve the lives of Malaysian citizens using open data. We feel that Malaysia already has success factors in place that will help Malaysia unlock economic, environmental and social value using open data. Our collaboration will include helping Malaysia to develop its open data strategy, its capability and its capacity for innovation.
Providing open data involves making that data available for anyone to access, use and share. This data becomes a raw material that can help government to become more efficient, new businesses to grow, and people to take advantage of new opportunities” said Richard Stirling, International Director at the Open Data Institute.
Working with MDeC, MAMPU also appointed the National Open Data Champions to expedite the Open Data adoption process within respective government ministries and agencies. 31 individuals have been identified, from 6 government ministries and 6 agencies including the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, Ministry of Finance, Department of Statistics Malaysia and Land Public Transport Commission. These individuals are also responsible of identifying high impact projects and the data required for the development of solutions, as well as ensuring quality data can be used and shared by Malaysians.
“The launch of the champions today is a show of Malaysia’s commitment towards Open Government Data that not only benefit the economy, but will improve efficiency and boost productivity of the public sector. Open Data increases government transparency and allows more engagement between the Government and the Rakyat, enabling and empowering them to be more directly informed and involved in democratic decision-making” said YBhg Tan Sri Dr Ali Bin Hamzah, Chief Secretary to the Government of Malaysia
For the very first time, Malaysia was included in the 2014 Open Data Barometer. Malaysia is currently ranked 41st among 86 countries – up nine places from its initial target of 50th by 2020, set in 2013.
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About Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), MSC Malaysia and Digital Malaysia
MDeC was incorporated in 1996 to strategically advise the Malaysian Government on legislation, policies and standards for ICT and multimedia operations as well as to oversee the development of the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor (now MSC Malaysia). MSC Malaysia became the platform to nurture the growth of Malaysian companies in the IT industry whilst attracting participation from global ICT companies to invest and develop cutting-edge digital and creative solutions in Malaysia.
In 2011, MDeC’s mandate was broadened by the Prime Minister to include driving Malaysia’s transition towards a developed digital economy by 2020 through Digital Malaysia. Founded on three strategic thrusts, Digital Malaysia is a natural progression to harness the building blocks already laid by MSC Malaysia. Digital Malaysia will drive generational change through its three-phase implementation which is set to take place between 2012 to 2020, 2021 to 2030, and 2031 to 2040 respectively.
Please visit www.mdec.my, www.mscmalaysia.my and www.digitalmalaysia.my for more info.
