PUTRAJAYA: An action plan will be developed to support the country’s drone ecosystem, aside from making the registration of gadget operators more efficient, says Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The Prime Minister said plans were afoot to come up with the Drone Technology Action Plan 2022-2030, while a system to manage unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) was also in the pipeline.
These were among the outcomes of the second Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council meeting that he chaired yesterday, he added.
Ismail Sabri said the drone industry had the potential to add RM50.71bil to the gross domestic product and create 100,000 job opportunities by 2030.
He said the meeting took note of issues raised by industry players, including bureaucratic procedures.
“We will see how this can be addressed so that the country’s drone industry can grow,” he said in a statement.
The Prime Minister said the meeting was informed that Digital Nasional Bhd has set a target where 5G coverage in the country would reach 40% by the end of the year.
“A target has also been set where 80% of populated areas get 5G coverage by 2024.
“The government hopes that the digitalisation programme that has been implemented by various ministries and agencies will continue to be improved in an effort to maintain current momentum and further drive the nation’s digitalisation agenda,” he added.
Ismail Sabri also said more effort would be made to strengthen small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through digitalisation.
There will be an integrated framework in which an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) mechanism will be created to adjudicate and resolve small claims and increase cross-border ecommerce activities.
“The establishment of a one-stop centre will also facilitate access to digitalisation support programmes for SMEs.
“In addition, the status of gig economy workers will also be constantly monitored to ensure that this group has adequate financial security and legal protection,” he said.
The government will strengthen cooperation with Microsoft Malaysia in the area of cybersecurity and online fraud, aside from organising awareness forums, skills workshops and technical training, he added.
The meeting also agreed to form a Sharing Economy Committee, to be helmed by the Communications and Multimedia Ministry, to coordinate initiatives and programmes related to the “Sharing Economy” at the national level, involving the public, private, community and academic sectors.
