THE Communications and Multimedia Ministry has drawn up the Communications and Multimedia Blueprint (CMB) 2018-2025 to empower and strengthen the country’s communications and multimedia sector.

Deputy Minister Jailani Johari said the blueprint which took 15 months to prepare would guide Malaysia towards becoming more connected and a digital nation.

He said the blueprint was anchored to six strategic imperatives: connecting people, strengthening trust, intensifying engagement, accelerating innovation, catalysing creativity, and empowering talent.

“These six thrusts reflect the ministry’s aspiration to digitise and humanise which complement each other to ensure there is optimum balance between economic and social development.

“The blueprint will be launched and roll out in the first quarter of next year. As Malaysia advances towards becoming a high income nation with the advent of industry 4.0 with its challenges, it is imperative for Malaysia to be more agile and to keep abreast of technology advancements,” he said in his speech at the CMB forum and soft launch “Digitising & Humanising” in Putrajaya today.

Ministry secretary-general Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad was present. Bernama general manager Zulkefli Salleh attended the forum.

Jailani said the CMB was a framework of policies and shared responsibilities which would provide a platform for the people to take advantage of communication and multimedia opportunities locally and globally.

 “This (blueprint) will help to accelerate growth and the transformation of other sectors of economy and create a connected, informed and empowered society, which is an essential component of Malaysia’s aspiration to become a high-income nation, an inclusive and sustainable nation.”

Jailani said the blueprint should also align with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ICT Masterplan 2020 and the Sustainable Development Goals to ensure consumer protections, especially in addressing privacy and security. 

Later at a press conference, Jailani said a blueprint target was to increase high speed broadband coverage from the current 81% to 95% by 2025 for homes and businesses. 

Among other measures, he said, broadband internet would be enhanced at rural areas to help the communities connect better.

“This blueprint is carefully crafted with various consultations and engagements with multiple stakeholders comprising the relevant ministries and industry players to identify gaps and challenges for the industry to move forward.” – Bernama, December 11, 2017.