KUALA LUMPUR, 9 JANUARY 2025:
Malaysia's achievement in topping the 2024/25 Open Data Inventory (Odin) rankings - rising from 67th place in 2022 to first overall - has garnered widespread recognition.
This leap underscores the nation's commitment to transparency, good governance, and digital innovation.
Industry experts are celebrating the milestone while also emphasising the need for continued progress to sustain this success.
Sage42 Apps Sdn Bhd founder and chief executive officer, Eugene Gan, an investor and mentor in tech startups, said "It means Malaysia is now recognised as a leader in making government data accessible and freely available to the public.
"This openness is a direct result of the Madani Government's unwavering focus on transparency and good governance," he said.
Gan added that Malaysia's success offers a platform for broader societal benefits.
"Data is the foundation for analytics, and our country's openness provides opportunities for real nation-building. From fostering citizen engagement to boosting innovation in the private sector, data accessibility is a catalyst for change," he said.
He highlighted key opportunities the nation can capitalise on, such as fostering citizen engagement using data-driven insights to solve complex challenges; empowering Malaysian youth through education and training to thrive in the digital world; and accelerating digitalisation within government agencies to improve efficiency and drive national progress.
Gan said that data openness would spur innovation and entrepreneurship in the private sector, enabling businesses to identify market opportunities, streamline operations, and develop new products and services.
Despite the significant achievement, he cautioned that several challenges remain.
A key concern is the digital divide, where disadvantaged communities could be left behind in the race towards digital literacy and access. He stressed the importance of outreach programmes to ensure that rural areas benefit equally from the government's data initiatives.
Gan also praised the sustainability of the initiative but emphasised that continued investment in digital infrastructure and the development of robust governance frameworks are crucial to maintaining this level of success.
"Maintaining this level of transparency and data openness will require long-term planning, continued funding, and collaboration across sectors," he added.
Despite these challenges, experts remain optimistic about Malaysia's future, given the country's strong commitment to advancing digital governance and empowering its citizens through open data.
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