Effort to enhance usage of geospatial data

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KUALA LUMPUR: The government would formulate a policy and act to encourage and enhance the usage of geospatial data in the country’s development process, said Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

HIGH STANDARD: Muhyiddin (left) tries a mapping tool at the launching of the 125th anniversary celebration of Survey and Mapping Department Malaysia. Looking on are Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Douglas Unggah (second left) and Survey and Mapping Department director-general Datuk Prof Dr Abdul Kadir Taib (second right). — Bernama photo

He said the geospatial act would focus on data confidentiality and safety, the principles of custodianship, data sharing, data integration, data dissemination and standards.

Muhyiddin said such an act was also needed to optimise the potential of geospatial technology like the Geographic Information System (GIS), considering that there were still constraints such as the absence of integrated data base as data were collected and stored by different agencies, hence the difficulty in obtaining digital data and cooperation among the agencies in sharing the GIS data base.

“The aim (of the act) is to manage geospatial information as an invaluable government asset in supporting the national development initiatives.

“It will also help in the development of GIS infrastructure and human capital development to support GIS expansion in the country,” he said when launching the 125th anniversary celebration of the Survey and Mapping Department Malaysia, here yesterday.

Muhyiddin said work to formulate the proposed geospatial policy and act had already been started by the National Mapping and Spatial Data Committee.

He said the role and contributions of the department as the prime geospatial information provider was in providing the mapping data and cadastral maps which were much needed by other government agencies involved in development projects, such as basic infrastructure for rural areas and public transportation infrastructure.

“Issues related to the country’s natural resources, especially land, must be wisely and effectively resolved to encourage investment and economic activities.

“Resolving the issues, however, will require accurate, reliable information and data on land and other natural resources.”

Muhyiddin also said that the Survey and Mapping Department as a geospatial information provider, must ensure that it remained relevant. — Bernama