Multimedia Super Corridor

To cultivate a knowledge-rich society in Malaysia and take the country into the Information Age, the Malaysian Government embarked upon the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) initiative in 1996 and set up the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDC) to oversee its development.

The MDC aims to be a "one-stop super shop" focused on publicising the advantages of the MSC worldwide, regulating laws and policies related to the development of the MSC, and overseeing the overall development of the MSC infrastructure.

The MSC comprises seven flagship applications, designed to facilitate the development of the country towards becoming a key player in the Information Age:

• Electronic Government: The primary aim of this initiative is to create a virtually paperless administration, with an eye towards the widespread use of electronic and multimedia networks in the Government. Programmes under this initiative include Project Monitoring System, Human Resource Management Information System, Generic Office Environment, Electronic Procurement, E-Services and E-Syariah. Electronic and multimedia infrastructure will eventually encompass all levels of government, and it doing so, information flows and processes related to government affairs will be made faster and more efficient.
  
  
• Smart Schools: This initiative is part of the Government's long-term plans to develop an IT-literate society by the year 2020. Smart schools will utilise relevant courseware and technology infrastructure, and adhere to a suitable curriculum, and will eventually encompass the entire nation. All smart schools will also practise a "Teaching-Learning" process whereby students are expected to practise "self-accessed" and "self-directed" learning, that places focus on long-term mental development rather than short-term academic excellence.
  
  
• Tele-Health: The Malaysian healthcare regime will be revolutionised through the introduction of multimedia technology. The main aim of this initiative is to facilitate general access to healthcare and to increase public awareness of health issues through better access to relevant information. Programmes under this initiative include Mass Customised/Personalised Health Information and Education (MC/PHIE), Lifetime Health Plan (LHP), Continuous Medical Education and Teleconsultation. Hospitals will also be fully equipped with updated multimedia technology, with integrated medical information to facilitate services. In the long run, telemedicine will enhance the quality of health care in both urban and rural areas and develop Malaysia as a regional medical hub.
  
  
• Research & Development Clusters: This initiative aims to develop a veritable structure that will greatly facilitate R&D activities. The primary focus of the R&D clusters will be the development of next-generation multimedia technologies and human and intellectual capital. To achieve this, a conducive research environment will be created, whereby universities and corporations will work together in a synergistic relationship to develop cutting-edge multimedia technologies. The transfer of multimedia technology to Malaysian start-ups from more developed establishments abroad will also be promoted.
  
  
• Multipurpose Card: The multipurpose smartcard incorporates government data and general payment applications into a single platform, which in turn will enhance security and customer service. Amongst the applications that can be slotted in such a card include identity card, credit card, phone card, driving licence, passport, ATM card and health information. Eventually, all public transactions with the Government will be conducted via the smartcard.
  
  
• E-Business: An e-business environment will be created in which companies with MSC companies will thrive and bolster economic growth. Traditional ways of doing business will be supplanted by more advanced and responsive methods, with the end result of more effective customer service. To this end, businesses will make full use of the MSC infrastructure and multimedia applications. The MSC can also be utilised as a regional hub for companies to supervise and deliver logistics and support to their branches throughout the region, whereby they can be linked at all times with the MSC's low-cost and cutting-edge information nexus. Companies will eventually have real-time operational control of the entire production process, from product development, manufacturing and marketing to distribution.
  
  
• Technopreneur Development: In recognising the need to further enhance the MSC's efforts to develop Malaysian SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) in the ICT (Information and Communications Technology) and multimedia industry and other strategic high-technology industries such as biotechnology and other life sciences, the Government launched the Technopreneur Development Flagship (TDF) in November 2001. This initiative comes under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovations, with the Multimedia Development Corporation acting as the implementing agency. The core objectives of the Flagship are to spawn a critical mass of SMEs in the ICT and multimedia industries, and to facilitate the growth of world-class ICT and multimedia companies.