E-Government in Malaysia: Its implementation so far and citizen’s adoption strategies.

Various countries, including Malaysia, are implementing electronic government, generally known as ‘e-government’. Besides, E-Government also known as e-gov, digital government, online government or transformational government. The implementation of e-government started since the initiation of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) by the Malaysian government. This e-government initiative launched the country into the Information Age. It will improve the government operates internally as well as how it delivers services to the people of Malaysia. It seeks to improve the convenience, accessibility, and quality of interactions with citizens and businesses. Simultaneously, it will improve information flow and processes within the government, improve the speed and quality of policy development, and improve coordination and enforcement. This enabled the government to be more responsive to the needs of its citizens.

The myGovernment Portal (http://www.gov.my/) acts as the one-stop source of Malaysian government information and services for the citizens.

Under the e-government flagship, seven main projects were identified to be the core of the e-government applications.

(1) Government to Citizens
1. Electronic Services (E-Services)

This is allows citizens of Malaysia to engage in transactions with government and utilities payments such as telephone and electricity bills and police summons.
MY E.G. Services Bhd ("MYEG") was one of the private limited company that provide E-service on 17 February 2000. MYEG has provider link to Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan, Jalan Diraja Malaysia, Tenaga Malaysia, Telekon Malaysia Berhad, Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, Jabatan Insolvensi Malaysia and Jabatan Perdaftaran Negara.

2. Electronic Labor Exchange (ELX)

The objective is to improve the mobilization of human resource and optimize workforce utilization through systematic matching of job seekers of job vacancies.

3. E-Syariah

Introduction of administrative reforms that upgrade the quality of services in Syariah courts. To enhance the Islamic Affairs Department effectiveness – better monitoring and coordination of its agencies and Syariah courts.

(2) Government to Business
4. Electronic Procurement (EP)

The aim is to re-engineer, automate, and transform current procurement system. The project would cover central contract, tender and direct purchase. The use of eP will increase transparency, saves time and money, while encourage suppliers to go electronic and join the K-economy.

(3) Government to Government
5. Project Monitoring System (PMS)

This is designed to provide a mechanism for monitoring and implementation of government projects and also provides a platform for exchanging ideas and demonstrating best practices models in information management and communication services.


6. Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS)

This will provide single interface for government employees to perform human resource functions effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, it will help to standardize all human resource processes. The objective is not just for record keeping also provides transactional functions such as leave application, loan processing, competency management, recruitment and selection.

7. Generic Office Environment (GOE)
The aim is to introduce a fully integrated, distributed and scalable office environment that leverages use of multimedia Information Technology. This will enable efficient communication, allowing collaboration across all workers, and ensuring right information reaching the right people in a timely manner.



Citizen’s adoption Strategies:

• Transformation.The use of ITS must greared toward introducing new work method ,by creating new operational processes and changing current process, as well as by changing government relationship with the public.

• Broad scope. Ensure all citizens will have equal access and geographic location , the issue of time an dsocial strata must be taken into account.

• Ease to use. Application that one to be implemented must be oriented toward citizens and hence be user friendly. The government needs provide websites with multiple language version such as chinese, malay,india and so on. For these purpose, it allow citizen can select the language they want and also make more convenient for them to read and understand it.

• Greater benefit. Application should ensure that the benefit of citizens will be greater than those from going in personto government offices. The government needs marketing expertise to better promote awareness, encouragement and dissemination of information on the benefits that can be obtained by using e-government.

• Security and privacy. When implementing applications, consideration should be given to using security and privacy mechanism and policies, to ensure the proper use and handling of personal information and transaction.

• Role of private sector. The private sector can assist the state in providing computer-based solution, as well as training government employees. And it can do so without limiting citizens’ access to information.

• Advertisement. Awareness programs should be launched through TV and radio advertisements, organizing workshops at shopping malls and so on. This strategy will help to increase the citizen’s awareness about the e-government concept.

• Consultation service. Provide consultation services on how to use those services. It is provided who is lack of knowledge for using computer to access e-government.

As a conclusion, the main challenge in e-government in Malaysia is the technological challenge, which includes issues like standards, data integration, legacy maintenance and privacy and security. The key priority in Malaysia now is to improve the core government application and integrating more service across agencies.

Learn more about E-government: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-Government

Review a local e-commerce site

BLOOM.COM.MY started off as a traditional flower shop and it has somehow become one of the leading Malaysia online florist. Bloom.com.my is an 24 hours online florist. They sell not only flowers, but also gifts, chocolates and cakes for all occasion.

This website is user friendly because this site has categorize their products in several categories that are flowers, flowers and gift, business, condolences, special occasion and lastly promotion items. This is especially easier for customers to choose items that they want.

Moreover, they also enable users to shop by price. So once the users click on his or her budget range which is situated on the right side, all items within the price range will appear on the screen. This website also ranks their best selling products at the left side of home page. Customers who have no idea what to buy can refer these popular products.

Shopping carts are available so that customers can know what the total price is. This can save time as customers do not need to repeat the payment processes for several times.

After checking out and knowing what the total price is, customers need to fill up this form indicating receiver and sender’s personal information such as phone number, name and address.

As for the payment method, this site has a full detail on how to make the payment, whether it’s online or offline. This is helpful especially for the first timers.

After trying for sometime, I think that this website is user friendly and consist most of the information that I am looking for.

However, I have several recommendations for this local e-commerce website.
First of all, this website lack of search engine. If there is a search engine on its home page, it can save customer’s time and energy. Customers can find things they want in no time.

Secondly, they didn’t show pictures of every product. This is not fair for the consumers. Let’s say that a customer prefers to buy the 24 Stalks Red Roses, but the photos available are only in 12 stalks. Customers may have problem in knowing the actual product, this may cause loss for florists.

For example, photo showing below here is 12 stalks lipstick rose, but once i click on the other order, nothing appear on the screen. This is difficult for me as I also want to know how the 36 stalks red rose looks like.

Lastly, I suggest that this website can provide some templates on letting customers to customize product of their own. This can provide satisfaction for their valued customers.

link :

http://bloom.com.my/

A review on a post on Legal from My E-Commerce blog: New rules for cyber cafes.

Politicians decided to take the action after being approached by a worried mother whose son had gone missing. The teenager was found in a cyber cafe where he had been playing for 48 hours.

It is useful to safe some regulation enforcement on these cyber cafes and these will prevent children from lounging into the cyber cafes and doing unhealthy activities. The ideas of

Malaysian government will obviously improve the status and usefulness of cyber cafes in Malaysia. The rule of closing by midnight is basically a good decision to be made. This may lead to educate youngsters that use internet for wrong or crime purpose to take their seat back. At the same time, reduce of crime could be dramatically seen.

The rule to banned from using tinted glasses will reduce the unwanted crime and outsides may recognize the exist of the cyber cafe from outside itself. Cyber cafes should provide it services at the ground floor to avoid recognization of it. The usefulness of guardians with kids under 12years old will lead them to make use of internet in a good manner and purpose prohibited activities done in the cyber cafe make difficulties to the investigators to reveal the dangerous hackers or crackers.

With the banned of cigarettes and alcohols, the public will be more comfortable to use the cyber cafes without being annoyed. Gambling, pornography, publications of negative elements could be reduce. This also results in reduction of corruptions and bad rumors in the country.

Related links:

1. http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/Legal

2. http://scottthong.wordpress.com/2008/07/08/bn-will-do-everything-to-defeat-the-social ill-of-alternative-media-i-mean-cyber-cafes/

3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4424528.stm

Things to take note to prevent e-auction fraud when a consumer participating in an e-auction.

Become familiar with the auction website.
Look into the websites protection policies. Never assume you are protected from auction fraud.

Before placing a bid, learn as much as you can about the seller.
If you can’t find anything out about the seller, than avoid doing business with them. Never fall for promises of better deals by moving away from the original auction website.

User identity verification
Such in IC number, driver’s license number or date of birth. For example, verified eBay user, the voluntary program, encourages users to supply eBay with information for online verification.

Authentication service
It is to determine whether an item is genuine and described appropriately. It difficult to perform because their training and experience, experts can detect counterfeits based on subtle detail.

Grading services
It is a way to determine the physical condition of an item, such as ‘poor quality’ or "mint condition". Different item have different grading systems. For example, trading cards are graded from A1 to F1, while coins are graded from poor to perfect uncirculated.

Feedback forum
It allows buyers and sellers to build up their online trading reputations. It provides user with ability to comment on their experiences with other.

Insurance policy
For example, eBay offers insurance underwritten, users are covered up to $200, will with a $25 deductible. The program is provided at no cost to eBay user.

Escrow services
Both buyers and sellers in a deal are protected with an independent third party. Buyer mails the payment to escrow services which verifies the payment and alerts the seller when everything checks out.

Non-payment punishment
It is to protect sellers, a friendly warning for first-time nonpayment. A sterner warning is for second-time offense, with a 30 day suspension for a third offense and an indefinite suspension for a fourth offense.

Appraisal services
It use a variety of methods to appraise items. It includes expert assessment of authenticity and condition, and reviewing what comparable items have sold for in the marketplace in recent months.

Item verification
It is a way of confirm he identity and evaluate the condition of an item. Third parties will evaluate and identify an item through a variety of means. For example, some collectors have their item “DNA tagged” for identification purpose. It provides a way of tracking an item if it charges ownership in future.

Physical inspection
It can eliminate many problems especially for collectors’ item.

Related links:

1. http://www.crimcheck.com/background-check-news/whats-internet-auction-fraud-and-how-do-i-prevent-it.

2. http://amazingcommerce.wordpress.com/2008/06/26/things-to-take-note-to-prevent-e-auction-fraud-when-a-consumer-participating-in-an-e-auction/

Mobile payment systems in Malaysia: Its potentials and consumers’ adoption strategies

M-payment (mobile payment) is a point-of-sale or transaction of money payment made through a mobile device, such as a cellular telephone, a smart phone, or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

M-payments include:

• transactions through the mobile network
• payments in brick and mortar storefronts
• bill payments
• person-to-person such as transfer money to friends or families

Several companies in Malaysia have launched the mobile payment systems such as:

• REDtone International Bhd.
• Maxis
• Maybank
• Hong Leong Bank
• Mobile Money International Sdn Bhd
• MobileExec Sdn Bhd.

Mobile Money International Sdn Bhd

The most famous m-payment system in Malaysia is Mobile Money Wallet (MM Wallet). Mobile Money or MM Wallet is one of the online payments. MM Wallet is a new feature from Mobile Money that will turn your mobile phone into an electronic wallet. It brings you superior convenience that allows you to shop cash-free, making remote payment & send money with SMS.

In Malaysia, mobile payment is recently services developing fast. This service is effective providing customers with admission or money off vouchers which can be unique coded or designed to allow viral spread. The mobile channel can be effectively used as a self-funding and revenue generating medium. This service covers all mobile operators on Malaysia; it’s for prepaid and postpaid service billings.

Potential of Mobile payment systems in Malaysia

For your information, statistics show that as in year 2008, there are a total of 25 million of mobile subscribers in Malaysia. However, there have only 460,000 subscribers for mobile payment system. By looking at the large number of mobile subscribers, it is no surprise that our country has the potential to effectively use mobile device as a transactional device.

In addition, the large number of feature-rich mobile devices, third generation (3G) mobile networks, and the emergence of Near Field Communications (NFC) technology are combining to create an environment where the mobile phone could become the next generation payment device. Furthermore, there are only approximately 1 million 3G Subscribers in Malaysia. Therefore, the m-payment system still can grow in Malaysia.




Besides, the customers no need to carry money or credit card to make transaction; it is a very easy step by using their mobile phone to purchase the digital goods and booking cinema ticket and so on. Such mobile service works on any mobile and it eliminates the hassle to queue up just to pay your electric bills. With this, the m-payment providers have a large market share to be grabbed on. This m-payment system is still new and can developing in Malaysia. It will continue to grow as consumer’s confidence on mobile payment increased.

Consumers’ adoption strategies

There are few customer adoption strategies which can help to attract more customers to adopt and accept this mobile money concept.

(1) Cost-transaction fees:
The advantages of physical cash exchange are clear: it is simple, fast, and there is no additional cost involved. Because of this, most mobile payment systems should provide the service free to consumers. Besides, most of the company will reward the consumer by giving gift at certain level of purchasing or giving redemption of reward or will give extra credit to customers eg: Hotlink. With certain calling amount, users will accumulated the points to redeem free air time or free sms.




(2) Ease of use:
Ease of use of M-payment should be emphasized. There should be a few simple steps to conduct M-payment rather than demanding consumers to go through many steps to complete a transaction. The ease of use of M-payment relative to other payment methods such as credit card and debit card is an important factor for consumer adoption of m-payments.

(3) Enhancing of security system:
Upon subscribing to an m-payment system, users are expected to place inherent trust in the system. Needless to say, all steps should be secured and trusted from a technological as well as social perspective. Therefore, m-payment should minimize fraud losses and provide user-controlled transaction-specific privacy support. The last implies that anonymous payments should be possible (as with cash today). Furthermore, technologies such as biometrics, and mobile digital signatures will have to be further advanced in order to be easily integrated into MP architectures.


Conclusion

In conclusion, with the rise of MM Wallet or digital money, shopping, paying bills, transferring money and others, can be so easy and convenient for a customer and at the same time securing the safety of customers.



Related links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_payment
http://www.mmwallet.com/testing123/index.html
http://mobile-money.com.my/
http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid40_gci772807,00.html
http://www.neowave.com.my/mobilemoney_overview.asp

A review on a post on e-tailing from My E-Commerce blog.

Among all the posts on e-tailing from My E-Commerce blog, I’ve chosen ‘Sarawak handicraft to go for e-commerce’.

Definition for E-tailing is the selling of retail goods on the Internet. Short for "electronic retailing," and used in Internet discussions as early as 1995, the term seems an almost similar to e-mail, e-business, and e-commerce. E-tailing is synonymous with business-to-consumer (B2C) transaction.

According to the post, Sarawak government is urging the local handicraft industry players to venture into the online business. As a start, industry players are encouraged to utilize the one-stop e-handicraft mall set up by Sarawak Handicraft Council.

This would be the website, http://www.right.sarawak.gov.my/Rightmart/, a website for the handicraft industry players to showcase their products and designs online.

This would be a good idea as the Sarawak aborigines will be able to market their handicraft products on a global market, this indirectly will lead people around the world to acknowledge and appreciate Sarawak’s unique culture and values.



However, I realized certain details that need to be improved.

1. That particular website was not really attractive.









If the website is not attractive and eye-catching, potential customers might not have any interest to view further details. Therefore, the most effective way to achieve results would be to hire a web developer. the web presentation is too static, they should put on some dynamic catalog and interactive animation.



2. Sarawak Handicraft Council didn’t put much effort in promoting this website.

First of all, I agree with Mr. Kai Wah personal opinion that the URL for this handicrafts was a bit long. http://www.right.sarawak.gov.my/Rightmart/ . They should go for shorter URL such as http://www.e-handicraft.com.my/, http://www.sarawak-handicraft.com/, or anything that is shorter and easy to remember.


Secondly, government can advertise this website on newspaper, television and radio. Moreover, government can request cooperation from famous bloggers to promote this website.

3. Sarawak Handicraft Council didn’t explain further on what the handicrafts are about.

Sarawak Handicraft Council should include history and usefulness about those handicrafts.

link:

http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/e-Tailing

http://searchcio.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid182_gci212079,00.html

http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/2007/07/sarawak-handicraft-to-go-for-e-commerce.html