‘Digitalisation should not create a divide’: Gobind urges inclusive tech push

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — The national digital transformation agenda must be implemented inclusively and cannot solely benefit those with access to technology.

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the digitalisation process must also ensure that the digitally less literate, elderly, low-income groups and small entrepreneurs can enjoy the same benefits.

“We want technology to be a tool that makes people’s lives easier, rather than adding to their burden. We want digitalisation to open up opportunities, not create a divide,” he said during the Madani Kita Programme at the Damansara Damai Community Hall here today.

Gobind, who is also the Damansara Member of Parliament, said the national digitalisation agenda was not solely about technology, but about people.

He said technology was merely a tool and what was important was how it was used to improve people’s lives.

“This is what we mean by digital for the people. Digital is not just about applications. Digital is not just about artificial intelligence (AI). Digital is not just about data and new technologies.

“Digital is about how all these developments ultimately benefit the people,” he said.

He said the measure of a policy’s success relied not only on how many programmes were implemented, but also on the extent to which the people benefited and experienced changes in their daily lives.

Meanwhile, Gobind said the Madani Kita Programme was a platform organised to bring the government closer to the people through the involvement of various ministries, departments and government agencies in a single location.

He said the programme, implemented by Akademi Kenegaraan Malaysia (AKM), allowed the public to interact directly with government agencies, obtain information on services, understand government initiatives, and convey their views, suggestions and problems. — Bernama