Policy Casebook Information and Communication Technology in Malaysia

Over the past fifty years, Malaysia has experienced significant social, economic, and political changes, with the development and implementation of information systems playing a pivotal role. The country's transition from manual methods in the 1960s and 1970s to multimedia technologies in the 1990s and artificial intelligence (AI) in the early 2000s is a testament to the Malaysian government's unwavering commitment to enhancing governance and administrative processes through information and communication technology (ICT). However, the integration of ICT in governance and administration has faced numerous challenges, particularly due to organisational behaviour and socio-political culture. Economic interests and personal ambitions often shape organisational behaviour, impacting the adoption and implementation of ICT. This has led to a reluctance to share information, limiting the collaborative potential of ICT systems. Disparities in appreciation, awareness, and understanding of the technology have resulted in uneven adoption and utilisation across different sectors. Additionally, the presence of incompatible information has complicated the implementation of ICT.