New Approach to Digital/ICT Initiatives/Projects Needed

The Malaysian government is committed to strengthening the implementation of digital and ICT projects through a strategic approach that focuses on prioritizing high-impact projects, cost optimization, and efficient service design. This move aims to ensure that each project implemented provides maximum benefits to the people, industry, and government agencies, while supporting the country’s vision as a leader in the digital economy.

High Impact Project Priorities

The government focuses primarily on projects that have a major impact on the country and society, especially those involving high risk.

I. High risk and potentially life-threatening

The first priority is projects that are high-risk and have the potential to have implications for the safety of life. This includes initiatives that involve the safety of the people such as critical infrastructure, emergency systems, and health services. These projects are prioritized to ensure the well-being and protection of the lives of the people are maintained.

II. Affecting and harming public health

The second priority is projects involving public health. The government is emphasizing efforts to address health issues that may threaten the well-being of communities. These include projects related to digital health systems, disease control, and the development of better and more efficient health infrastructure.

III. Potentially threatening national security

Next, the third priority involves projects involving national security. This includes security measures such as the protection of government data, border security surveillance, and the use of smart digital technology to ensure that the country’s sovereignty and stability remain protected from any threats.

IV. Potentially affecting the country’s economy and finances

The fourth priority focuses on projects related to issues that have the potential to affect the country’s economy and finances. This initiative aims to ensure the stability of the country’s economy through the development of digital systems that support the business, finance, and trade sectors. This focus is important to ensure sustainable economic resilience and competitiveness at the global level.

V. Has high complexity and crosses agencies and has a direct impact on civil servants and the people

The fifth priority is projects that are highly complex and involve collaboration across government agencies. Such projects have a major impact on civil servants and citizens, requiring comprehensive system and service integration. This approach ensures that government services can be delivered more efficiently and responsively to the needs of the people.

VI. The core application (mission critical) of the agency

Finally, the sixth priority is the core (mission critical) applications used by government agencies. This project involves key systems that are critical to the daily operations of the agencies, such as data management, digital records, and IT infrastructure that supports government administration. This priority ensures that the continuity and smoothness of government services to the people can be maintained in any situation.

Project Cost Optimization with Government Digital Shared Services

The Malaysian government’s approach to optimising project costs emphasises the use of digital shared services based on interoperability technology as a holistic and integrated solution. This technology ensures that digital systems across various government agencies can function seamlessly, share data, and communicate with each other without technical barriers. With interoperability technology , system duplication can be avoided and the cost of developing new systems can be reduced, thereby maximising the use of existing resources.

I. ICT Shared Services

This shared service involves several main components. Among them are the Data Center, Network, Communication, and Security which allows the government administration system to operate more stably and securely. This is supported by the use of Cloud Services which include Public Cloud, Private Cloud, Hybrid Cloud, as well as IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service), and SaaS (Software as a Service) service models. Through this cloud service, data storage and information processing can be done in a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective manner.

II. ICT Consulting Services

In addition, ICT Consulting Services play a key role in ensuring the successful implementation of the government’s digital transformation through technical support and in-house expertise. The main focus of this service is to provide guidance and advisory services to government agencies regarding the planning, development, and maintenance of ICT systems. With in-house ICT expertise, agencies can optimize the use of digital technology while ensuring that system development and operation costs can be well controlled.

IV&V or Independent Verification & Validation is also a critical element in this service. IV&V aims to ensure that every ICT project implemented by government agencies meets the set quality, security, and performance standards. This process involves independent assessment of the design, development, and testing of systems to ensure that the system operates efficiently, securely, and interoperably between agencies.

Technologies such as blockchain are also being introduced as part of the innovation in ICT Consulting Services, providing a transparent and secure network for data sharing across government agencies. With the support of organisations such as SDEC, this expertise ensures that government services are more responsive to changing technology and user needs.

III. Application Rationalization

Next is application rationalization which is an important step in streamlining and optimizing the use of application systems across government agencies. This approach emphasizes common applications and mobile applications, where similar or overlapping systems are consolidated to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and maximize the benefits of digital technology.

Common applications refer to the development of a system or application that can be shared and used jointly by various government agencies. For example, DDMS 2.0 (Document Digital Management System) provides a digital document management platform and ePayment supports faster and more secure electronic financial transactions. This reduces dependency on separate systems, thus promoting integration across government agencies. In addition, the use of the MyCoID and mydigital ID platforms enables efficient management of business and individual identities, in line with the government’s digital aspirations.

In the context of mobile applications, emphasis is placed on developing flexible and user-friendly applications, enabling citizens to access government services anytime and anywhere. Initiatives such as HRMIS (Human Resource Management Information System) and platforms such as PADU demonstrate the government’s efforts in ensuring that mobile systems can support daily operations and provide faster and more effective services.

Through application rationalization, the government can ensure smarter and more planned use of technology resources. This move not only supports the objectives of digital transformation, but also increases interoperability between government systems and facilitates more efficient delivery of digital services to the people and the business sector.

IV. Digital Platforms & Services

Digital platforms and services play a key role in supporting the government’s digital transformation agenda by providing comprehensive and integrated technology solutions. This includes the development of digital portals and platforms such as MyGovernment Portal, End-to-End (E2E), and MyGDX which aim to facilitate access to government services and improve the effectiveness of the public administration system.

MyGovernment Portal serves as the main gateway to all government services in one centralized platform. It enables citizens, businesses, and government agencies to access various services online easily, efficiently, and securely. This approach ensures more user-friendly service delivery and reduces reliance on manual processes.

In addition, the End-to-End (E2E) system emphasizes the efficiency of digital work processes from start to finish, ensuring that every government transaction can be carried out automatically and smoothly without bureaucratic obstacles. Through this platform, services can be delivered more quickly and transparently, thus increasing public sector productivity.

In terms of data management, MyGDX or Government Data Exchange enables integrated data sharing between government agencies. This promotes interoperability between systems and maximizes data usage to support more accurate planning and decision-making.

Advanced technologies such as Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are also applied in this platform to help the government analyze big data and predict future needs. This analysis is used to identify trends, improve services, and plan more proactive strategies that focus on the needs of the people.

V. Management of ICT Equipment & Software Usage

The management of ICT equipment and software usage is an important component in ensuring the smooth operation of the government’s digital system. This aspect includes the handling of software licenses as well as front-end hardware such as computers, networks, and other equipment used by government agencies. With systematic management, the government can ensure more efficient use of ICT resources, minimize the risk of equipment incompatibility, and maximize productivity.

Software license management involves controlling copyright compliance, valid licensing, and periodic renewals. This ensures that the software used is always up-to-date and in line with current technological requirements. In addition, front-end hardware management ensures that the equipment used by end users is functioning properly and can support existing applications and systems.

Overall, ICT equipment and software management helps the government maintain consistent quality of digital services, optimize operating costs, and ensure that the systems used are always in the best condition. This measure also contributes to the overall efficiency of government administration in achieving the goal of public sector digitalization.

Service Design Requirements and Cost Estimates by JDN

Referring to the Service Design requirements and cost estimates by JDN, this approach emphasizes the importance of technical planning in ensuring efficient and integrated government service delivery. Service Design helps identify the technical and functional requirements for each government project in the early planning phase. This approach ensures that each designed element meets the objectives for the delivery of user-friendly, responsive, and effective digital services.

In the context of interoperability technology, service design plays an important role in ensuring that government systems developed can operate smoothly and are interconnected with each other. This technological interoperability allows data to be shared and integrated across government agencies, avoiding system fragmentation and reducing service duplication. Standardization as referenced through the standard.digital.gov.my platform forms the basis for technical compliance that enables digital systems to function together in an integrated ecosystem.

In addition, this process also includes mapping price catalogs which assists in cost planning and optimizing resources in the development of digital services. By leveraging interoperability technology, government service design can support digital transformation more efficiently, ensuring that each system developed can be seamlessly integrated and shared between agencies, thus contributing to better service delivery to the people and stakeholders.