KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts to strengthen cooperation among members of the APEC Telecommunications and Information Working Group (APEC TEL) should be strengthened to check negative acts that jeopardise the stability of a country.
Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf
Secretary-general of the Ministry of Information, Communications and Culture Datuk Seri Kamaruddin Siaraf said such efforts were necessary as issues concerning cyber security and privacy were now becoming a major concern in most countries including Malaysia.
“We have many weaknesses in terms of legislations which we can probably learn from other countries…Malaysia will take this opportunity to exchange ideas and subsequently develop the information and communication technology (ICT) further,” he told reporters after opening the 44th APEC TEL Meeting, here yesterday.
He said that those with ill intentions had no obstacles in the cyber world and frequently expressed their dissatisfaction through actions which went against the law.
“This is probably the time for APEC TEL to reconsider how we can further strengthen cooperation and at the same time protect continuity besides respecting the privacy of each citizen,” he said.
Kamaruddin also said that Malaysia was committed to achieving the objectives contained in the Strategic Action Plan of the APEC TEL 2010-2015 such as narrowing down the digital gap, reducing the poverty gap between urban and rural areas and the gender disparity.
“In Malaysia’s context, we will continue to develop and use the ICT to achieve the plan’s target,” he said.
The week-long closed-door meeting which began on Thursday will end on Wednesday and is being attended by 200 delegates from 17 countries. — Bernama
The outcome of the meeting this time will be tabled at the next ASEAN Telecommunications and Technology Ministers’ Meeting (TELMIN). — Bernama