James Kon
Under the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 of Brunei Darussalam, the Digital Economy Council identified several major projects which include the National Information Hub as a more convenient information-sharing platform, the Digital ID as a platform which allows the public to assess government services at any time, and the Digital Payment Hub which will boost prospects for businesses to receive payment through digital means and enable the public to make payments through smart devices.
The main projects under the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 were outlined on Thursday by Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Dato Seri Setia Awang Abdul Mutalib bin Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Setia Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Yusof during the official launching of the pilot project to replace speed warning devices (SWDs) under the Road Traffic Regulations (Motor Vehicle: speed warning device), 2002.
The minister said, “In the titah delivered by His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, on the occasion of His Majesty’s 74th birthday, His Majesty stated, ‘I believe that digital technology definitely has high potential to stimulate the nation’s economy. It should be remembered that we require digital services which include learning, business and governance, and capable of turning Bandar Seri Begawan into a Smart City.’
“In the titah, His Majesty gave the consent for the Digital Economy Masterplan 2025 under the Ministry of Transport and Infocommunications (MTIC). The Digital Economy Masterplan is under the purview of Digital Economy Council which has identified main enablers to support planning in the public digital sector and among businesses towards a Smart Nation. This also includes a policy framework preparation, regulations, as well as research and development in digital technology.
“In achieving the nation’s aspirations towards a Smart Nation, the MTIC is driven by the MTIC Strategic Plan or the MTIC 2025 which was launched earlier this year. This document supports these aspirations, and takes into account the MTIC’s role in the transport and infocommuncations sectors.
“With the Vision of Connected Smart Nation under the MTIC 2025, there are six main strategic objectives, where four are relevant towards the replacement of SWDs pilot project.
They are Digital Transformation, sustainability in the transport and info communications sectors, safety standards in the transport and info communications sectors, and policy framework and discussion conducive to investors and business.
“However in the implementation of the strategic initiatives, the MTIC is aware that such efforts cannot be implemented through the ‘silo’ approach or singularly. Therefore, the pilot project that we are launching is a collaborative initiative with relevant parties through a whole-of-nation approach.”
