National Digital Identity to be fast-tracked, says Anwar

PUTRAJAYA: The National Digital Identity (IDN) development project will be fast-tracked as part of an initiative to boost the digital transformation in the public sector, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said that when it is in place, the IDN would serve as a secure, trusted digital information platform to obtain confirmed information.

"It will also ensure that online transactions are carried out in a digital environment that is safe and flexible," he said after chairing the Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council meeting on Sunday (Aug 27).

The National Digital Identity is under the National Registration Department and is aimed to be a way to verify identity on the Internet or an individual virtual identity online.

The Prime Minister said the meeting agreed on the implementation of initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem for startup companies and boost the involvement of local startup companies.

Anwar said Malaysia has set a target to be among the top 20 countries with a startup ecosystem by 2030 and to build Kuala Lumpur as a regional digital and start-up hub.

He said that to date, at least 14 agencies are involved in the ecosystem for startup companies and added that this includes financing, product development, marketing and expertise.

"The government will implement a 'single window' initiative to streamline and rearrange the functions of agencies involved in the startup ecosystem," he added, saying that the target is to establish 5,000 startup companies by 2025.

The Prime Minister said the government would continue to increase digitalisation programmes in the public sector to ensure the country enjoys digital development.