MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN THE PENANG STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE’S TECHNOLOGY PARTNER MAXIS
SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
FOR THE MOU SIGNING CEREMONY BETWEEN THE PENANG STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE STATE’S TECHNOLOGY PARTNER MAXIS
26 September 2020 @ Penang Digital Library
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Haji Abdul Halim bin Haji Hussain
EXCO for Trade & Industry and Entrepreneurial Development
Yang Berhormat Dato’ Abdul Razak bin Jaafar
State Secretary of Penang
Yang Mulia Raja Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Arshad bin Raja Tun Uda
Chairman of Maxis
Gokhan Ogut
Chief Executive Officer of Maxis
Representatives from the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Media friends
Ladies & Gentlemen
A very good afternoon to all of you.
I would like to first congratulate Maxis for your 25th anniversary this year, which is a commendable and memorable milestone that represents not just growth in terms of years, but more significantly, your contributions to the nation’s progress in the evolution of technology.
You are at the forefront of new communication technologies in the country while on the international arena, you have built strong links with those who possess cutting edge technology in similarly related fields. The results of your endeavours speak for themselves as you were the first to introduce 4G and now you are showing considerable leadership in new technologies like 5G.
The MoU which is going to be signed today between the Penang state government and Maxis cannot be more timely and suitable in meeting the technological needs of the state in our quest to embrace Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the digital platform which had proven its worth during the Covid-19 crisis and resilience in adapting to the new challenges of the New Normal.
This partnership with Maxis is also a significant step forward in our Penang2030 vision. Our mission will always be the utilization of technology to improve the quality of life and provide even better opportunities for our citizens. By integrating smart technologies into key sectors such as education, public safety and agriculture, we can accelerate our progress towards the direction of our digital ambitions. The state government, as such, looks forward to the insights and benefits which Maxis could offer especially your expertise in Smart City pilot projects and the IoT Innovation Lab that you will be setting up for the State.
Prior to the imposed MCO which altered our ways of interaction with one another, the digital platform was merely an emerging trend still in its infancy in the conduct of our business activities, the education of our children and the conventional methods of our daily communication. Covid-19 changed all that and we were all precipitated into unlocking the marvels of digitalization in order to survive the hard truths thrown at us – that the world will never be the same again – and to have the necessary technological hardware will stand us in good stead especially in achieving the state’s Penang2030 vision.
I was also informed of the participation by Maxis at every opportunity to create greater awareness on new technologies and its potential for Government as well as private and public enterprises to make informed decisions through the means of technology.
You were the first to launch commercial NB-IoT services in the country, demonstrating capabilities with use cases around several verticals, including manufacturing, agriculture, education and smart city solutions.
I am pleased to note that the ambitions of Maxis are in line with the nation's aspirations to foster inclusive development and to further enhance a digital Malaysia, hence ensuring growth for the economy and a new wave of prosperity for our people.
With these recognized capabilities of yours and our shared goals at state and national levels, you have a big role to play in facilitating digital transformation. The state government of Penang is utterly pleased to have you onboard as a trusted technology partner to support us in our journey towards Penang’s digital ambitions.
Together, we shall make it happen. Thank you.