Continued emphasis on IT in State budget likely

KOTA KINABALU, Nov 15 (Daily Express) --- The State Budget 2008 to be unveiled on Friday is expected to see a sustained emphasis on the development of the State's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) capacity.

Resource Development and Information Technology Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai said the Budget that would be tabled by Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman would reflect the importance of ICT in Sabah.

Met after presenting certificates to participants of the IT Audit for System Development at Shangri-La's Tanjung Aru Resort, Wednesday, he said among them was to bridge the digital divide, in line with the national aspiration to lower it by 50 per cent.

"If you look at the national level we in Sabah are still behind in terms of Internet penetration, mobile phone per population, among others, although our e-government is on par with the top state in the country," he said.

Under the bridging of the digital divide programme, about 15,000 people had been given ICT training this year, he said.

"Yes, we hope similar emphasis would continue in the Budget for next year," he said. Earlier, Dr Yee said it was important for those in the State to keep abreast with the fast evolving ICT field or be left out.

The IT Audit seminar facilitated by Singapore-based Lead Auditor Dr Raymond Wong was aimed at audit or IT personnel doing IT Audit or system development environment.

The seminar was organised by the Sabah Computer Society in collaboration with the IT Advancement Unit under the Resource Development and IT Ministry.

Also on hand were Permanent Secretary Datuk Abidin Madingkir and State IT Advancement Unit director, Bruno Vun .