Creating Strong Ecosystem for Malaysia

Rockies Ma, Country Managing Director and CEO of H3C Malaysia

A man with high adaptability of new environment, a great dedicator towards creating better tech ecosystem and building channel network in Malaysia during pandemic, has won us admiration from all sides. In this episode, Rockies Ma, Country Managing Director and CEO of H3C Malaysia sharing with us his journey in sharing China’s new technology to Malaysia and his believe by creating a strong tech ecosystem will transcend us to a better future.

Members Activities Update

Freshwork | Exabytes: ITSM Navigator – Smart Savings and Maintaining Value

Date: 14 September, Thursday

Time: 10.30am to 1.00pm

Venue:Exabytes Event Hall, SetiaWalk Puchong

Click HERE to register

Global Launch of Mitoworld.io

Showcasing how businesses can use Mitoworld to create their
own metaverse which will bring value back to their own companies.

7 March 2023

IA 2023 Revised Budget Response

Digitalisation Effort

We shall help the local tech companies to scale up quickly and be able to compete with the multinational in terms of remuneration and career advancement. IA constantly organize activities to help local tech entrepreneurs to scale up, but we would welcome government assistance in term of funding and sharing of resources.

Grants are great provided they are distributed efficiently and fairly. The last 5k digitalisation grant was quite poorly managed by BSN, resulting in many Smes frustrated with the speed of disbursement and in some instances, failure to disburse. The SME Corp grant was also backlogged for months and months without status for many applicants. But we do welcome the additional funds to help Smes digitalise. Focus should be placed on clear qualifying criterias and clear disbursement procedures.

Online Fraud/Scams

We also welcome the focus on cybersecurity as we do see an increase in hacks and scams. there can be clear processes and channel for individuals or organisations to report cybersecurity events. Regulations for a minimum cybersecurity standard should be explored for listcos, government agencies and organisations who hold massive amounts of sensitive personal data to ensure accountability upon any cybersecurity breaches.

13 October 2022

IA 2023 Budget Response

Investment for Digital Based Companies

Govt proposes to expand scope of tax incentives for individual investors in start-up companies via equity crowdfunding
Khazanah to invest RM1 billion under Dana Impak in 2023; RM230 million for investments in locally owned, high tech companies
RM100 million allocation to Domestic Investment Strategic Fund (DISF) to support the development of domestic tech-based companies

As a non-profit association for digital service providers, we welcome more funding opportunities to accelerate the growth of our members who are primarily at the scale-up stage. Within our members, we could strive to become another unicorns in Malaysia.

Cybersecurity

RM73 million to improve Malaysia's cybersecurity by strengthening monitoring, detection and reporting of threats, as well as building cyber forensic system capabilities
National Scam Response Center (NSRC) to be established with the collaboration between PDRM, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and National Financial Crime Centre (NFCC), and partnership with financial institutions to take action against online criminals.

Despite the limited funding for cybersecurity, it is indeed encouraging to see the government to put focus into curbing the rapidly growth of scams and cyber-attack. Internet Alliance (IA) Malaysia is keen to collaborate with Cybersecurity Malaysia and other enforcing agencies to bring further awareness among private and public service sectors in cybersecurity.

Tax Deductions

Govt will extend tax deduction of up to RM1.5 million for listing expenses involving ACE and LEAP markets until assessment year 2025.
Govt will also expand tax deductions for companies to include the listing cost of tech-based companies on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia.

Internet Alliance (IA) Malaysia will encourage our members to take advantage of the tax incentive to go for the listing of the capital markets, as part of our entrepreneur scale up program.

Digital Connectivity

RM700 million allocation for National Digital Network (JENDELA) in 2023, to implement digital connectivity in 47 industrial areas and nearly 3,700 schools
Digital Nasional Bhd to expand 5G network nationwide to cover 70% of highly populated areas, infrastructure expenditure allocation

Internet Alliance (IA) Malaysia hopes that this allocation could spur further growth in smart manufacturing and digital content in education, through better connectivity. Our members could in return provide the smart solutions to accelerate the digital transformation of these important sectors of the Malaysian digital economy.

6 October 2021

The recent proposed intention by The Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to regulate the Data Center and Cloud industry

has brought huge concerns and uncertainty to both foreign and local service providers including members of Internet Alliance Malaysia (IA).

In September 2021, IA has proactively come forward to seek clarification in consultative spirit with MCMC’s Licensing Team to seek further clarity for the benefits of IA members and the industry. Through our meetings, MCMC licensing team has reverted with a clearer intended licensing framework which is outlined below:

1. For datacenter operated by Network Service Provider (NSP), network services in the DC is provided by the NSP, these network services are required to contribute to the USP Fund as prescribed under the Return of Net Revenue.

2. For datacenter space provider, as long as there is a licensed network service provider to provide the network services in their DC, the DC space provider does not need a license to operate colocation business.

3. Based on the proposed regulatory revision, Cloud service provider need an ASP class license to operate. Cloud service is considered a regulated service but have zero weightage in the calculation of RONR, hence is exempted from USP fund contribution.

4. For web hosting provider, whether their service is considered Client-Server Service (a non-USP-designated service) or Cloud service (a USP-designated service) is subjected to further regulatory definition. IA can provide proposal for service definition on webhosting vs. Cloud service.

5. For datacenter operator or hyper scaler DC operator, as long as they do not deploy NFP/NSP network services, they are not required to apply for NSP individual license.

IA wishes to express appreciation to MCMC who has taken feedback from the IA members and the industry on this matter. Nonetheless, IA continues to express deep concern on the earlier proposed framework that might adversely impact the growth objective of MyDigital’s vision and recent 12MP growth vision for Data Center and Cloud Service Provider. IA wishes to keep close communication and consultative spirit with MCMC in representing the voice of IA members.

We look forward for Malaysia to become the competitive destination in attracting both foreign and local investments, and ability to succeed in transforming into Digital Economy.

Vlog Post

Episode 1

First President of Internet Alliance Malaysia

Lee Cheung Loong, CEO & Founder of IP ServerOne

Episode 2

Creating Strong Ecosystem for Malaysia

Rockies Ma, Country Managing Director and CEO of H3C Malaysia

Episode 3

Surviving Industry Conundrums With Grit

Wilson Lam, CEO of Aegis Cloud

Episode 4

From Breaking Free to Peeling Layers of Boundaries

Lance Cheang, Founder and Managing Director of Vlan Asia