The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) together with its applied research agency, MIMOS, launched the National Internet of Things (IoT) Strategic Roadmap early this month, a document that would serve as a guideline for IoT implementation in Malaysia.
Its minister Datuk Dr Ewon Ebin said that the development of information and communications technology (ICT) was closely related to the nation’s economic growth; and IoT, being the latest evolution in the technology, was an important deciding factor in the economic and social development of the country.
“IoT implementation goes across key social and economic sectors. This means that the development and implementation of IoT require a clear guideline and strategy that takes into account various critical aspects such as data security and sovereignty, privacy, Intellectual Property management etc,” he said at the unveiling of the roadmap document.
“IoT implementation in Malaysia is expected to contribute RM9.5 bn to the country’s Gross National Income (GNI) by the year 2020 and RM42.5 bn by 2025,” Dr Ewon said. “In addition, IoT is projected to generate a total of 14,270 high-skilled employment opportunities by 2020,” he said.
Dr Ewon said that Malaysia had the creative and high-potential talent groups, good investment climate, as well as strong interest and commitment; all ingredients that could push the country to be a premier regional IoT hub as envisioned by the Roadmap.
The event also saw the signing of three Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MIMOS and Cyberview Sdn Bhd, CyberSecurity Malaysia and SAS Inc., respectively on developing Cyberjaya as a model ‘Smart and Safe City’ through IoT implementation.
To initiate the collaboration, Cyberjaya will implement various IoT-based solutions such as smart traffic management system and public safety monitoring, energy management, among many others, which can be enhanced and rolled out at a larger scale in due time, it said.
No financial numbers were disclosed.
MIMOS Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Wahab Abdullah said that a key goal of the Roadmap was also to create an ecosystem conducive to the IoT industry, while strengthening the capabilities of technopreneurs in the many component “layers” of IoT.
“The IoT ecosystem that we have been building is already up and running. As a premier applied research centre, MIMOS comes in as a key technology provider, in particular for the development of the IoT Open Innovation Framework, while as implementation secretariat, we will monitor the results, outcome and impact of all IoT deployments,” he said.
Managing Director of Cyberview Sdn Bhd, Faris Yahaya, said that with the launch of the Roadmap and signing of the MoU, Cyberjaya will become a “living lab” for IoT implementations. He said: “With the robust and resilient infrastructure set-up in Cyberjaya, the tech city forms the best platform to nurture and grow IoT talent and business, as well as groom IoT services or solutions in Malaysia.”
