Yahoo!對2008年財政預算案的回應

Budget 2008 Commentary Tom Sipple, Managing Director, Yahoo! Southeast Asia

The government’s target under Budget 2008 to increase the broadband penetration rate to 50% of households by 2010 is much welcome. This is a clear expression of the government’s commitment in extending the benefits of the internet even further to Malaysian citizens, and this will certainly support a reduction in the digital divide.

Furthermore, the decision to allocate RM45 million for the implementation of SchoolNet projects to provide internet services to schools is a positive step forward for the country as it continues to build a knowledge-driven economy.

Yahoo! believes the internet can positively transform lives, societies and econo mies as it expands the ability for citizens to communicate, express themselves, access information, and conduct commerce. The Internet enhances education opportunities, lowers geographic barriers, narrows social gaps and advances economic activities.

The Malaysian government’s positive stance will help grow the Internet ecosystem and encourage access and adoption of the internet as a platform to find, use, share and expand human knowledge from Malaysia. This will ultimately provide long-term educational and economic benefits for the country. From the private sector, this is also an area that Yahoo! is committed to working on in Malaysia.