“I want Myanmar people to understand and apply these technologies. Technologies should be modified into Myanmar versions gradually so that even ordinary Myanmar people can become accustomed to modern technologies,” she said in her opening remark as Patron of the e-Government Steering Committee, at the 4th e-Government Conference & ICT Exhibition held at the MICC-2 in Nay Pyi Taw, on Tuesday.

Despite Myanmar’s e-Government index jumping 12 places from 169th place in 2016 to 157th in 2018 out of 193 countries worldwide, it still ranks under the average of ASEAN member nations, she said.

Last October, Myanmar government made a nationwide effort to migrate from using Zawgyi font to the international-standard Unicode font.  

“Although Myanmar has experienced a certain degree of increases in some sectors such as education, the country has not overtaken other ASEAN countries. Instead, a slight decrease has been noticed. It showed that our neighbouring countries have moving forward at a faster pace, and that we need faster development. It is expected the e-Government could help in this movement,” she said.

The United Nations has established a benchmark to measure the development of a country in regard to e-Government system, based on the three indicators – online services, telecommunications, infrastructural development and human resource development.

“The implementation of e-Government is intended for many benefits, including easy and smooth activities at government agencies, effective functions, making right decisions, better services, appropriate responses to fulfill public needs and socioeconomic development of the people,” said Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

“The e-Government is also an enabler that can drive economic development of the country. It is also taking a crucial role in implementing sustainable development and poverty alleviation of the country. The e-Government has many benefits. Without practicing e-Government system, no country would see development.”

The coverage of e-Government services must be ensured to be fair and even accessible in far flung areas via mobile and internet communications, she added.

The State Counsellor also urged citizens to register their mobile SIM cards as those who could not identify themselves commit cybercrimes and spread hate speech by taking advantage of the weakness of the SIM card registration process.

“User authentication is required in using mobile SIM cards as persons who could not identify themselves and who are committing acts of sabotage and cybercrimes are spreading false news, hate speech and cybercrimes by taking advantage of weaknesses in SIM card registration processes.

Daw Aung San Suu Kyi concluded her speech by saying the e-Government would fail unless everyone has “firm dedication” in their work for the successful accomplishment of the system in the country.

Source: https://www.mmtimes.com/news/e-government-system-crucial-countrys-development-state-counsellor.html