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

Electronic government or we normally know as e-government (e-gov), is used to refer the use of information and communication technology to provide government services, transactions and interactions with citizens, businesses and other arms of government. E-government is a way for public administration to become more open and transparent, and to reinforce democratic participation.

Malaysia Government launched its own electronic government in year 1996 with the introduction of Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC). myGovernment Portal (www.gov.my) acts as the one-stop source of Malaysian government information and services for the citizens. It helps to improve information flows and processes within government to improve the speed and quality of policy development, coordination and enforcement. It also improves to bring convenience, accessibility and quality of interactions with citizens and businesses.

MyGov portal wins Global ICT Awards at World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2008 which was held at KLCC. Besides, according to the United Nations e-Government readiness index of year 2008, our Malaysian government portal was listed at the 34^th place. The ranking was based on two primary indicators which are the state of e-government readiness and the extent of e participation. We can actually claim it is a success for Malaysian wins the ICT awards as well as being ranked in the index.

Up-to-date, its implementation is considered as successful as the number of users of the portal is actually growing. However, there are also barriers that will hinder the progress of e-gov portal, for example, people’s behavior. Most of the Malaysian today, especially the elders who do not have knowledge in IT are still very doubtful on the transactions on the Internet. They feel unsecure with that when they have to make payment or disclose any information on the line. Besides, I feel that language barrier is also concern for the implementation of e-gov. Although there are the two main language which are English and Bahasa Melayu which are used in the portal, we still need to consider the Chinese educated Malaysian. I feel they shouldn’t be neglected. Maybe Government of Malaysia should consider of inserting the Chinese language as the 3^rd language.

In order to make sure citizens adopt e-gov in daily life, we must create awareness among them. Government need to let the people know that the existence of government portal in Malaysia. Government also has to make sure the process to log in or usage in the government portal is easy. Besides, the portal will need more information as to educate people of Malaysia to know better of the Government.

Government needs to take care of people needs too. The effectiveness and efficiency in providing services is also essential to make citizens to adopt the e-gov. Due to people convenience, government can actually respond to the people complains on the line. People then don’t have to go through departments just to file their complaints. This will make people feel happier and comfortable with the government. However, when the government servants are attending to the complaints, they will need to be professional either. They will have to be efficient as mentioned in order to satisfy the people.

There are ways to improve the usage of electronic government among the Malaysians and I believe the myGovernment portal will actually grow more popular one day soon, more people of Malaysia will adopt it. God bless the BN government !!!

The Application of Pre-paid cash card for consumers

A pre-paid cash card is like a debit card. It gives consumer ability to purchase the products and services with a card by just swap the card on the counter. Besides, it also can be used to transfer electronic payment in online or offline. So it is a very convenient smart card which is widely and commonly used by everyone to settle payment in ease.

Spending limits are set by the amount of money you load onto the card. When you make a purchase with the pre-paid card, the purchase amount is deducted from the card balance. You can add more money on a regular basis or whenever the money runs low.

There are numerous benefits offer by pre-paid card. Pre-paid card have no credit checks, which means you can get a card without worrying about your credit history. Second, its do not have debt risk. With a prepaid card, you do not worry about you spend too much as you are limited to the amount you put on your card. Third, it is safety because you not need to carry large amount of cash to purchase the products and services. If your card gets lost or stolen, your remaining balance will be transferred across to a new account, and you will receive a replacement card.

Example of prepaid cash card :

Touch 'n go smart card is used by Malaysian for electronic payment system to toll expressway and highway. It is expanding its business to retail purchase by starting with fast food industry that enables consumers to buy dough nut, burger or fast-food from 21 outlets such as Burger King, 7-Eleven, Dunkin’ Donut. It is imitating the success of Hong Kong’s Octopus Card by setting 5 to 10% of the card holders for retail purchase as current target of the company.

Octopus card was launched in Hong Kong on year 1997, September. It is a rechargeable contactless stored value smart card to transfer electronic payments in online in offline system. It is widely used in payment system for transportation, supermarkets, fast food restaurant, car parks and other pint of sale application such as service station s and vending machines that have achieved good outcomes. Octopus Card is very popular in Hong Kong.

credit card debts: causes and preventions

Credit cards are issued after an account has been approved by the credit provider, after which cardholders can use it to make purchases at merchants accepting that card.

Credit cards with low introductory rates are limited to a fixed term, usually between 6 and 12 months after which a higher rate is charged. As all credit cards assess fees and interest, some customers become so encumbered with their credit debt service that they are driven to bankruptcy.

Debt results when a client of a credit card company purchases an item or service through the card system. Debt accumulates and increases via interest and penalties when the consumer does not pay the company for the money he or she has spent.

Causes:

• Gambling

Gambling is fun and entertaining but if it becomes addictive it'll be hard to stop. This won't become a problem if we spend our spare money for gambling. But borrowing money through our credit cards for gambling will surely lead us to a financial disaster.

• Poor money management

Do we really know where our money is going?If we don't have an income and spending budget chances are, we cannot set aside some money for saving and emergency needs.

It is not hard to get a credit card, but we cant misuse it.

Preventions:

• Control the spending

Keeps our credit card spending to amounts that we know we can pay off, don't go over-board with unnecessary purchases, and budget how we plan on paying back our charges.

• Move your debts

This is by moving debt from a card with higher annual interest rate to a lower interest rate. This can eventually allow you to pay the lower amount of interest and buy more.

• We should pay off whatever we can as soon as you can do it, so our balances not grow exponentially as time passes.

Electronic Currency

Electronic Currency also known as E-cash or E-money, refers to money which is exchanged only electronically. Typically, the electronic currency transaction has to be done by involving the use of computer networks, the internet and digital stored value system

The use of electronic currency such as Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and direct deposit has been widespread. EFT refers to the computer-based systems used to perform financial transactions electronically while direct deposit is a banking term used to transfer money.

Electronic currency allows its holder to buy the goods and services that the vastness of the internet offers. For example, people used to buy e-cards (e-cash or A-cash) which is used to buy some special or limited items in the online games. A-Cash is the credit system used by AsiaSoft Passport. AsiaSoft Passport members will be able to use A-Cash to redeem for game cash that are to be used in all games published by AsiaSoft Online. There are thousands of outlets can get to buy e-cards as long as it is a cyber café, stationary shops (like Popular or Star Book Store) even 7-11. http://maple.asiasoftsea.net/cashshop/stores.aspx?&z=/cashshop/stores.aspx


Malaysia is now successfully started a transit of payment system and has grown into a widely used electronic cash system such as Touch n’ Go card which is very similar to Hong Kong's Octopus card and based on the same type of card. It can be used at all highways in Malaysia, major public transports in Klang Valley, selected parking sites and theme park. User can continue using the card as long as it is pre-loaded with electronic cash. http://www.touchngo.com.my/


Here is a website that can buy & sell E-currecncy, Centre Gold. http://centregold.ca/