SKALI CONTRIBUTES TO THE MAJORITY OF GOVERNMENT’S TOP 3 PORTALS AND WEBSITES

KUALA LUMPUR (January 8, 2014): SKALI, a Web Enterprise and the largest open source company in South East Asia, has recorded excellent results in the recently-concluded Managed Portal Services (MPS) project with 94 per cent of the government websites and portals it developed achieved the highest five-star status, with the remaining six per cent achieving the four-star status.

The results were part of the highlights of the Malaysia Government Portals and Websites Assessment (MGPWA) 2013 released by the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) recently, aimed at providing a check-and-balance assessment that not only offers the agencies a score-card of their online presence but also as a guidance to improve their services to serve the public effectively.

SKALI implemented the MPS project for the Malaysian Government from 2008 to 2013, covering 152 government portals and websites. MPS involved the upgrading and continuous maintenance of these websites and portals including content updating and translation work.

Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group CEO of SKALI, said, “Before the implementation of the MPS project, most of the websites and portals that we were implementing were only three Stars and below.”

“Via MPS, we had transformed the websites and portals from zero to 94 per cent five-star achievers.  This represents 139 websites and portals of the 148 MPS sites assessed during the assessment.

“This is a great improvement compared to the last assessment done in 2012, with most of the same websites and portals moving up from the two and three-star rankings to the four-star and five-star rankings.”

The Department of Agriculture Malaysia and myGovernment, both implemented by SKALI, were the highest ranking portals scoring 92 per cent each.

As for websites, seven of the eight top sites were implemented by SKALI -- with the Tapah District Council’s website was ranked first scoring 96 percent, followed by the Tangkak District Council with 95 per cent and the Farmers’ Organisation Authority Malaysia, Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority, the Klang Municipal Council, the National Craft Institute and the Teluk Intan Municipal Council sharing the third ranking scoring 94 per cent each.

The websites and portals were assessed based on three criteria - the main assessment (MA), online services assessment (OSA) and benchmarking.

“On the whole, 360 websites and portals had achieved the five-star status. Of the Top Three websites and portals, 87 per cent of the websites and 40 per cent of the portals were implemented by SKALI via the MPS project.

“Malaysia is currently at number eight amongst the Asian nations and regarded as one of the world’s emerging leaders with regards to e-government readiness as issued by the United Nation in 2012.

“I am sure the improved MPS websites and portals would help the country move up the rank further as they make it easier for both Malaysians and foreigners to navigate information and make use of electronic services,” he said.

Tengku Farith also revealed that SKALI had employed more than 800 graduates from local universities to work on the MPS websites and portals during the five-year period of the project, as part of its graduate training programme.

“MPS has been successful in reducing unemployment rates, requiring the hiring of unemployed graduates and providing them with training to gain ICT skills.  

“We now look forward to be given the opportunity to continue our efforts in upgrading government websites and portals especially after the favourable report by MGPWA 2013,” said Tengku Farith.

Details of the MGPWA 2013 results were shared at a dinner recently which was also held to recognise the high achievers and signify the closure of the MPS project.  Datuk Seri Abdul Wahid Omar, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department was the guest of honour and presented awards to the five-star websites and portals.  

KEEP BANDWIDTH COST AFFORDABLE, TO STAY COMPETITIVE

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17, 2013 – The access fee for Malaysia’s internet accessibility and connectivity need to be made more affordable if the country wants to be competitive in the data storage centre, in the cloud computing industry.

Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group CEO of SKALI, said that apart from having to improve and upgrade the technological infrastructure, local bandwidth providers should also look at lowering the access fees to a more affordable level to encourage more businesses to embrace cloud computing.

Echoing the recent statement made by the Communications and Multimedia Minister, Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, Tengku Farith said that Malaysia definitely has the potential to become a hub for data storage in the cloud computing industry as the country is currently ranked 13th out of 24 economies worldwide in terms of cloud computing utilisation, mostly due the adoption of policies that were conducive to cloud innovation.
 
“Local businesses are beginning to embrace cloud computing as more are aware of the tremendous agility offered and its competitive advantage over on-premise applications.

“Nonetheless, the development was hampered by the high cost incurred by the service providers which have to be absorbed by the customers,” he said.

Malaysia had 500,000 square feet of data centre (IDC) floor space as of 2010, supplying approximately four per cent of the total floor space in the Asia Pacific region.

The Data Storage Centre market in this region is projected to grow by 16.3 per cent annually, accumulating RM10.9 billion in sales by 2014.

“Malaysia has a substantially higher bandwidth rate as compared to the regional competitors, accounting for 30 per cent of monthly operating costs in the sector.

“This is twice the rate offered in Singapore and three times those offered by the Hong Kong bandwidth providers,” said Tengku Farith.

A recent Gartner Report released in October 2012, had also indicated that the growing interest in cloud computing, a term used to describe data storage and processing done on the web, will see further growth in the IT services segment.

In order to allow more businesses to embrace Cloud Computing, SKALI, the first Public Cloud provider in the region, has offered ultra flexible, scalable cloud servers via its infrastructure on-demand platform to allow medium and smaller-size enterprises to capitalise the best of what cloud computing has to offer, while minimizing risks.

Known as PAYU (Pay As You Use), the model enables customers to enjoy Private Cloud setup, either at their own premise or at SKALI DC, with zero capital expenditure.

“Since Private Cloud may not be within their budgets, we offer our clients to pay only as per their usage, without having any fixed charges,” said Tengku Farith.

The service is in addition to the Private Cloud as well as the Public Cloud offerings, currently offered by SKALI, thus enabling customers the ability to specify access limitations and the level of resource dedication to safeguard data privacy and security.

“It is our sincere hope that the related ministry will look into this matter if we want to attract more foreign companies to pick Malaysia as their cloud data storage centre.

“With the expected rising costs of real estates in Malaysia, the foreign companies may opt for countries that could offer them more cost-effective infrastructure and labour, and lowering the bandwidth rate would definitely help in balancing these unfavourable factors,” added Tengku Farith.

宽频价格需经济实惠以保持竞争性

 （吉隆坡17日讯）大马若要成为具竞争性的数据中心，其网络连通性和收费需更加的实惠。

SKALI集团首席执行员Tengku Farith Rithauddeen披露，除了提升和改善科技建设网络基建设施，本地的宽频服务供应商应探讨降低收费，以鼓励更多商家“拥抱”云端运算服务。

Tengku Farith是针对通讯与多媒体部长Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek的言论指出，大马有望在云端运算工业中，成为数据资料库的中心。大马目前是在24个经济国家中的“全球云计算评测研究报告”中排行第13位，足以证明了国家的政策有利于云计算的发展。

他说：“本地企业开始拥抱云端运算服务，因为该服务供应商提供了价格的优势便利，应用方面了提供了竞争优势。”

“然而云端运算服务的发展受到阻碍，高成本服务影响供应商成本过高的影响，这些成本由消费人所吸纳。”

截至2010年，马来西亚有数据中心（IDC）建筑面积占50万平方英尺，占亚太地区的总建筑面积约百分之四。

数据存储中心在本区域的市场预计将年增长16.3％，预料在2014年累计109亿令吉的销售额。

“马来西亚的宽频速率，价位较区域竞争对手的高，占每月运营成本的30％。

Tengku Farith 指出：“本地的供应商的宽频收费，高于新加坡两倍，也高于香港三倍。”

Gartner最近发布的至期2012年10月的报告显示，市场对云端运算服务兴趣大增，这个用来形容网络数据存储和处理的服务，将在IT领域出现增长。

为了鼓励更多企业使用云端运算服务，SKALI作为本区域首个公共云端服务供应商，透过其基础设施，提供了灵活和可扩展的云端服务器，给予中小型企业最好的云端运算系统，同时降低企业风险。

名为 PAYU (Pay As You Use)的模式让客户在零资本开支下，在本身的建筑物或SKALI DC享受云端运算服务。

Tengku Farith 指出：“由于私有云计算服务可能超越客户的预算，我们为客户提供，按照用量进行收费，无征收任何固定收费。

SKALI除了提供公共云端运算服务，也额外提供的私有云计算服务，提供客户制定浏览次数和层面的限制，以保障数据的隐私和安全。

“这是我们真诚希望，部门能关注此课题，以吸引更多的外国公司挑选马来西亚作为他们的云端数据存储中心的据点。 

Tengku Farith 指出：“马来西亚房地产的价格昂提高，但外国公司亲睐成本效益低的的基础设施、劳力和宽频收费低廉的国家，作为投资据点。

SOCIAL MEDIA-DRIVEN CSR INITIATIVE FOR A CLEANER KL

KUALA LUMPUR, July 11, 2013 – Social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, LinkedIn or Instagram ensure better success of Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) campaigns as they are able to create broader awareness and, more importantly, drive actions, said Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group CEO of SKALI.

“Social media can communicate the results and performance of a CSR campaign in real time allowing key audiences to engage with the company in their own terms and time, as opposed to an annual CSR report that captures only a certain period of time,” added Tengku Farith.

SKALI staff clearing up the rubbish around the ramp leading to DUKE Highway, in front of Menara Sentul, during the gotong royong recently.

Tengku Farith said this during a gotong royong by SKALI staff recently to clean-up the areas surrounding Menara Sentul where their office is situated at.

The event, participated by around 100 staff was the kick-off of SKALI’s one month-long CSR activity called ‘A Cleaner KL’, where the company will respond to reports made by the public via the social media - regarding cleanliness-related issues such as garbage being dumped along roadsides or at bus-stops, etc.

Held as part of the recent World Environment Day celebrations, the campaign would also be collecting as many reusable items as possible to help the local authority in its recycling campaign.

Clearing up the road-side.  SKALI staff cleaning up the rubbish dumped along Jalan Sentul (in front of Menara Sentul) during the gotong royong recently.

“Apart from reporting the situation to us via the designated social media, the public would also need to indicate the GPS (Global Positioning System) coordinates so that we could quickly inform DBKL or any other related agencies for their immediate actions or for us to organise another round of gotong royong if needed be at a later stage,” said Tengku Farith.

A dedicated Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ACleanerKl) and Twitter (@acleanerkl) accounts have been created to allow the public to make their reports and also post photos to make it easier for SKALI and the related authority to access the situation.

“Social media will allow companies to engage with a following of people on a personal level, allowing them to monitor performance and share relevant information on issue related to the CSR campaigns that would allow for expansion and improvement.

“It provides companies with an influential, built-in network of passionate people that become followers of what they are doing and in order to build and keep them involved is by making the social media active, always with updated and transparent information, and deploying a fun, creative way for them to participate and share with their online friends.

“Thus social media should be at the forefront of any CSR campaign strategy as through such social forums, members of the public can feel truly connected and engaged with the CSR efforts,” said Tengku Farith.

Speaking on SKALI’s ‘A Cleaner KL’ initiative, Tengku Farith said that apart from fulfilling its social obligation, the company is executing this to showcase how an IT company is utilizing its social media capability in doing CSR.

“We are looking at covering as many places in Kuala Lumpur as possible and also get as many relevant authorities to be involved.

“We sincerely hope that our contribution will help maintain the good image of Kuala Lumpur and at the same time would appreciate the co-operation of the public to keep the city clean by reporting to us on any uncollected rubbish or dirty areas that need immediate attention,” said Tengku Farith.

社交媒体宣传企业社会责任活动，打造干净的吉隆坡

（吉隆坡12日讯）SKALI集团首席执行员Tengku Farith Rithauddeen指出，社交媒体如面子书、Twitter、优管 (Youtube)、Linkedln和Instagram是现今宣传企业社会责任活动的渠道，皆因社交媒体能够提倡醒觉和鼓催行动。

他指出：“比起公司的企业社会责任活动年度报告，社交媒体能够即时宣导企业社会责任的效果和讯息，让公众更能了解公司。”

Tengku Farith出席了由SKALI集团主办的Menara Sentul和周围地区大扫除运动时，如是指出。

这项大扫除是SKALI集团鼓催长达一个月的“打造干净吉隆坡”活动，获得100名SKALI旗下100名员工参与。该公司透过社交媒体收集公众意见，要求公众呈上公共卫生差强人意的报告，例如垃圾随处可见的马路和巴士车站。

该项活动是配合世界环境日的其中一环，活动也向公众收集可回收用品，协助地方政府的资源回收运动。

“公众除了透过社交媒体提供投诉地点，也需附上全球卫星定位点，方面我们向吉隆坡市政局或相关部门提供资料，采取应对措施，方面我们物色下一个大扫除地点。”

SKALI开设了指定的面子书(https://www.facebook.com/ACleanerKl)和Twitter (@acleanerkl)户口，让公众针对举报投诉，上载照片，方面SKALI和其他政府机构采取行动。

“社交媒体允许企业公司更深一层接触公众，监督表现和提供相关企业社会责任活动资讯，改善和提升这些活动内容和性质。”

“社交媒体让公司发挥影响力，邀请网络跟随者参与活动，提供最新和透明化讯息，打造更有趣的方式，让网友分享这些讯息。”

Tengku Farith说：“社交媒体应该是主导企业社会责任运动的最前线，透过这些社交平台，公众将全程参与企业社会责任运动。”

针对SKALI集团旗下的“打造干净的吉隆坡”，Tengku Farith指出，作为科技公司，SKALI集团履行社会责任之余，也展示如何透过科技善用网络媒体的能力，达致成功的企业社会责任活动。

“我们正在探讨如何将范围扩大至涵盖吉隆坡地区，并且邀请更多地方政府机构参与。”

他说：“我们衷心希望透过这些的活动，打造一个干净的吉隆坡，我们同时也呼吁公众保持城市的清洁和卫生，举报卫生欠佳的地方和垃圾堆积处，以便当局立即采取行动。”

DECISION NOT TO REGULATE AUGERS WELL FOR ICT DEVELOPMENT

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17, 2013 – The Malaysian government’s decision not to emulate its neighbour’s decision to regulate the local internet scene will definitely see further growth in the local IT services segment.

Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group CEO of SKALI, Malaysia’s leading integrated eGovernment and eBusiness company, said that the assurance given by the Prime Minister, Datuk Sri Najib Razak, recently would definitely encourage more to embrace IT especially in those related to e-government and e-commerce initiatives, of which the government is currently pushing very hard for its implementations in line with the New Economic Module.

“Nevertheless, while we welcome this guarantee of freedom by the Prime Minister himself, netizens should be more responsible with what being posted in the Net by only disseminating accurate and factual information.

“They only have themselves to be blamed if the government were to decide otherwise later on, due to them being irresponsible and not being ‘sensitive’ with their postings,” added Tengku Farith.

Malaysia is expected to experience a robust growth in the IT services market with the government already adopting several related policies that are conducive to the growth of the ICT industry.

Based on a recent Gartner Report released in October 2012, Malaysia’s IT services market size is forecasted to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 9.53 per cent from 2011 through 2016, with more attractive opportunities to be made available due to the government’s measures to make Malaysia a growing regional services and outsourcing hub.

The advent of Internet and social media has changed the local political scenario tremendously with the public being able to receive all kind of news and information with just a click.

“While we can understand the reporting ethic that need to be followed by the mainstream media, social media and news portals should take the liberty to practice the same ethic and self-censored wherever applicable.

“Social media exists in cyberspace, with no space or territory, and a government of a country should not claim jurisdiction over the site and requiring the site to apply for a license.

“While they may be able to deal with those sites established in their own countries, the same cannot be said for those located overseas.

“Thus the imposition of such regulation must be carefully thought through to avoid unnecessary hassles that could hamper the progress of the development of IT in this country.

”If Malaysia were to regulate the Internet, many may decide to host their websites or portals outside the country and this will definitely hamper the government’s quest of making Malaysia a hosting or data centre hub,” said Tengku Farith.

SKALI SEES SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN CLOUD SERVICES

KUALA LUMPUR, May 8, 2013 – SKALI Group of Malaysia, an integrated eGovernment and eBusiness company, is expecting 2013 to be a pivotal year for cloud computing as more have realised of its ability to deliver business values while reducing operating costs.

Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group CEO of SKALI, said that businesses are beginning to embrace cloud computing as more are aware of the tremendous agility offered and its competitive advantage over on-premise applications.

Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group CEO of SKALI.

Being the first Public Cloud provider in the region, SKALI had reaped the benefits of being the initiator of such services in Malaysia and this was reflected in their revenue generation with cloud computing’s contribution was 30 per cent higher in 2012 as compared to the previous year, and is expected to record another 30 per cent growth this year.

Based on a recent Gartner Report released in October 2012, Malaysia’s IT services market size is forecasted to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 9.53 per cent from 2011 through 2016, with more attractive opportunities to be made available due to the government’s measures to make Malaysia a growing regional services and outsourcing hub.

The Report had also indicated that the growing interest in cloud computing, a term used to describe data storage and processing done on the web, will see further growth in the IT services segment.

Malaysia is currently ranked 13th out of 24 economies worldwide in terms of cloud computing utilisation, mostly due the adoption of policies that were conducive to cloud innovation.  

“Considering the growing demands of our clients, SKALI had extended its offering to Private Cloud in as well to complement our existing Public Cloud offering.

“While the Public Cloud provides customers with the opportunity to share data virtually and reduce physical storage space, Private Cloud enables customers the ability to specify access limitations and the level of resource dedication to safeguard data privacy and security,” he said.

Under SKALI’s Private Cloud arrangements, customers will have the flexibility of choosing the various packages offered such as the Virtual Private Cloud which utilises the SkaliCloud Host Environment, Off Premise Private Cloud utilising the Skali Data Centre Environment and On Premise Private Cloud which utilises the Client Data Centre Environment.

SKALI Cloud also offers ultra flexible, scalable cloud servers via its infrastructure on-demand platform to allow medium and smaller-size enterprises to capitalise the best of what cloud computing has to offer, while minimizing risks.

Known as PAYU (Pay As You Use), the model enables customers to enjoy Private Cloud setup, either at their own premise or at Skali DC, with zero capital expenditure.

“Since Private Cloud may not be within their budgets, we offer our clients to pay only as per their usage, without having any fixed charges.

“If there is a need to integrate with Public Cloud, we offer them Hybrid Cloud based on the need and requirement of our clients,” added Tengku Farith.

Amongst the key advantages of SKALI’s Cloud platform is that it utilises the Advanced Linux KVM virtualisation and a simple web control panel, thus giving end customers ultra-modern virtualisation back-end and full control to self-manage their cloud servers.

Unlike most Cloud Computing services, SKALI’s Cloud platform is the quickest and simplest to install with the lowest technical costs incurred.

“This will also do away with the extra costs for staff training before the launch of the services.  What more with our automated 24/7 monitoring with alerts when operational intervention is needed to give our customers peace of mind of the safety and reliable of their data storage,” said Tengku Farith.

Speaking about its cloud computing services expansion in overseas, Tengku Farith said that SKALI is currently venturing with an Indonesian enterprise to offer similar services to its customers in Indonesia and is in the final stage of negotiating with a Thai-based company for their venture in Thailand.

“We will also be talking to other countries in the ASEAN region especially Vietnam and Cambodia,” he added.

SKALI is hosting all its customers’ servers at two Tier 3-data centres, equipped with high standard facilities environment, covering approximately 67,000-square feet in Cyberjaya.

Amongst the reputable clients that are currently utilizing the benefits of SKALI’s Cloud Computing are those in the education industries, multinational companies, universities, government agencies and many others.

SKALI放眼云端服务需求增长

吉隆坡8日讯 – 电子政府和电子商务推手SKALI集团，放眼2013年是云端科技关键的一年，因为客户对该科技足以提高商业价值和减少营运成本的醒觉，逐渐提高。

Skali首席执行员Tengku Farith Rithauddeen指出，许多企业开始使用云端技术，因为和现场部署应用程式比较，该技术提供了巨大灵活性和竞争优势。

作为云端服务供应商的Skali，在大马占尽先驱优势。和去年相比，云端服务在2012年为该公司贡献30%的盈利成长，预计今年会带来30%的成长。

根据2012年10月发布的Gartner报告，大马的资讯工艺服务市场规模预计，从2011年至2016年，出现9.53%年均复合增长率，有赖于政府的措施提供了商机，以便大马成为区域服务和外包中心。

该报告还指出，在云端科技方面的日益增长的兴趣，尤其是在网上储存和处理数据一方面，将取得进一步增长，会带动科技领域的成长。

目前，马来西亚在云端科技使用方面，在全球24个经济国中，排名第13位，主因是政策鼓励云端技术的使用。

“有鉴于需求的增长，我们向客户提供私有云(Private Cloud)的服务。”

他说：“私有云促使企业建立和使用云端环境，共享资料库和减少硬体的储存空间，私有云也提供客户限制资料的使用，保障私隐权和提供可靠性的资料保护。”

在Skali私有云为客户提供虚拟私有云、远端部署、就地部署。

SKALI云端提供超灵活、扩展性和规模性恶云端服务，透过基础设施平台，允许中小型企业享受云端科技所提供最好的服务，同时减少风险。

名为PAYU(Pay As You Use) 的模式，允许企业在本身的公司或Skali中心，在毫无消费成本之下，享受私人云端服务。

“云端服务的经费或许超越客户的预算，我们因此为客户提供按照使用率来征收费用，没有征收固定收费。”

“配合客户需求，我们也为客户提供综合混合云端系统。”

SKALI云端平台是最方便建议安装，成本便宜的云端服务。

Tengku Farith 说：“在推介云端服务前，我们会为职员提供培训服务，当操作遇到干预时自动发布警报，给我们的客户安心和可靠的数据保护。”

Tengku Farith说：“SKALI计划向海外扩展业务，目前正向印尼企业招手，为他们提供类似的云端服务，泰国方面的伙伴商讨也迈入最后的阶段。”

他说：“我们也向东盟国家，例如越南和柬埔寨招手。”

SKALI的数据中心坐落于赛城6万7000方尺的地段，拥有高水准的设备。

Skali的云端客户群包括教育领域、政府官联公司、大学、政府机构等。

SKALI RECORDS RM7.2 MILLION PROFIT FOR 2011 Top Three Most Profitable Malaysian ICT Company

SKALI 2011年盈利达720万令吉
排行第三盈利最更高的科技公司

（吉隆坡29日讯） 电子政府和电子商务推手SKALI集团在2011年12月截止的财政年，无审计营运盈利创下有史以来的 新高，报720万令吉。

这表示，2011年的营运盈利，比2010年的552万7000令吉，涨30%。2011年财政年的收入，从前年的5656万2000令吉，涨至6766万6000令吉。SKALI集团首席执行员Tengku Farith Rithauddeen表示，该公司强劲的表现，主要源自于该集团推介的SKALI云端服务。Skali是本区域首个推介公共云端服务的公司，该服务至今获得500间来自美国、越南和布鲁塞尔等海外私人企业和政府机构的采用。

他补充：“SKALI透过各种服务，如互联网方案、数据中心、推介Liferay Enterprise CMS，以及为政府机构和企业提供各种培训课程，以招揽新客户。”

这些表现让SKALI成为在上市的科技公司中，盈利最高的佼佼者之一。

根据股票交易所最新的资料显示，只有两所上市的科技公司即eBworx控股和世纪软件控股有限公司所创下的 盈利，比SKALI微高。

Tengku Farith 指出：“SKALI和这两间上市公司，是盈利最高的科技公司。虽然两者都是活跃于科技领域的公司，但是他们并非SKALI直接的竞争对手。”

相比之下，SKALI的财政表现比同行的Heitech Padu、TMS、Opensys、Technodex, Patimas、Formis Resources和其他上市的科技公司为佳。

他说：“这促使SKALI成为最大的网络服务供应商，提供软件、硬体（管理服务和云端服务）和培训客户。”

在2012年，SKALI放眼20%至30%成长，为了达至此目标，SKALI有意提高服务，包括把营运扩张至海外。

“目前，我们正处在扩张和改善硬体设施的阶段，现有的公共云端服务预计将在今年第二季度完成。”

“我们将把业务专注在汶莱、印尼和中东市场，同时，在越南、印度和中国的新兴市场设立区域中心和伙伴关系。”

Tengku Farith披露：“截止今年2月为止，我们经已达至79%的目标，我们有信心在今年12月的财政报告的 盈利，超越所预定的目标。”

SKALI近期稳固了其在市场地位，成为人力资源发展基金(Category A)旗下，获认证的培训公司，提供各种Liferay 网站管理, Liferay 资料管理, 网页设计, Microsoft Word 2007、 Microsoft Power Point 2007 和 Microsoft Excel 2007等培训课程。

MALAYSIA NEEDS TO FAST TRACK INNOVATION AGENDA

Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group Chief Executive Officer and Co- founder of the SKALI Group of Companies

Kuala Lumpur, May 22, 2008 ~ The success of WCIT 2008 has earmarked Malaysia as an important mover in the region’s innovation agenda but the nation will still lag behind countries like Singapore and even Vietnam if nothing is being done to address the issues of dearth of local skilled workers and also the lack of basic ICT infrastructure such as a nationwide broadband connection.

Tengku Farith Rithauddeen, Group Chief Executive Officer and Co- founder of the SKALI Group of Companies said that the arrival of WCIT in Malaysia is a clear endorsement that Malaysia is a world player in the global ICT industry. “However, we must never rest on our laurels and must persist to advance and continue to be the preferred innovation hub as other countries are catching up fast on us,” he added.

The Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had recently said that MSC Malaysia is now home to more than 2,000 companies including home-grown and multinationals, of which about 100 are leading global companies. In 2007, MSC status companies’ turnover was approximately 13.6 billion ringgit — an increase of more than 25 per cent compared to 2002.

“Even though the statistics are quite impressive, SKALI is still concerned as we are lacking behind other countries in terms of innovation agenda. We have noted down few key requirements for Malaysia to address before we are able to quantum leap into the next era for the ICT industry. We must remember where we are now but how fast and how far we can go in the future.

“One of the biggest issues has been the lack of human development programmes for the industry as the nation is currently facing shortage of skilled graduates who conform to the industry standards. As a result, although we currently have approximately 10,000 unemployed IT graduates, we still need to employ skilled foreign workers.

“SKALI has taken this challenge to re-skill our graduates to make them better prepared with the required skill through our ‘SKALI Pioneers and Innovators in the Knowledge Economy (SPIKE) programme, and we sincerely hope that other players could do the same to help the industry.

“Through the SPIKE programme, SKALI had already re-skilled 253 graduates who are currently working for the Managed Portal Services, a project by SKALI to build and upgrade government websites and portals. “We don’t just train them. We also ‘hold their hands’ so that they are able to survive in the industry and also alter on become technopreneurs themselves,” said Tengku Farith.

Tengku Farith also added that Malaysia’s snail paced move to implement a nationwide broadband access would also lead to a slowdown in the ICT industry. Although Malaysia’s broadband penetration rate stands at 0.08 percent, Singapore stands at 6.13 per cent and South Korea at 19.29 per cent. This is very low as compared to other Southeast Asian countries. The Malaysian Broadband Masterplan, recently introduced by the government, is expected to accelerate the development of broadband access in the country.

“The implementation of nationwide broadband access will not only accelerate the transformation of Malaysia into a K-based society and economy, but will also attract more FDI’s into the country thus will lead to the development of SMEs in the ICT sector. This snowballing effect will see the true notion of wealth creation.

“SMEs will then be able to capitalise on their knowledge and promote better services and be competitive throughout the nation. Malaysia would also be able to narrow down its digital divide as more ICT-based companies would invest in other towns if the ICT infrastructure and human capital are available,” Tengku Farith concluded.