The Ministry of Religious Affairs announced the commencement of its first e-government project with the appointment of HakbaSkali Sdn Bhd as the contractor for the "Sistem Maklumat Islam Fasa1" (SisMI Phase 1) or Islamic Information System Phase 1.

Contract signing for Islamic Information System Phase 1 Project (SisMI) between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and HakbaSkali Sdn Bhd.

The B$1.38-million project would cover supply, delivery, installation, development, testing, commissioning and maintenance of the solutions for SisMI Phase 1 together with related software, hardware, operations and services for the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

The guest of honour at the ceremony was Awg Hj Abdullah bin Hj Metassim, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, who was on hand to witness the signing of agreement between the Ministry of Religious Affairs and HakbaSkali, which was held at the premises of the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Signing the document on behalf of the Ministry of Religious Affairs was Awg Hj Zaimi bin Hj Talip, the Director of Syariah Affairs in his capacity as the Co-Adviser of the SisMI Phase 1 project. Awg Hj Zaimi was witnessed by Awg Hj Abu Bakar bin Hj Mohd Don, the CIO/Head of Information Technology Centre as secretary of JKTM and Director of the SisMI Phase 1 project.

Major (R) Hj Adnan bin DH Hj Abdul Wahab, Executive Chairman of HakbaSkali meanwhile signed on behalf of the company in his capacity as Adviser and Director of SisMI Phase 1 project and was witnessed by Hjh Marianah bte DH Hj Abdul Wahab, Director of HakbaSkali Sdn Bhd.

Two speeches were later delivered by Awg Hj Abu Bakar and Major (R) Hj Adnan, respectively.

SisMI is one of the 12 e-government projects to be implemented by the Ministry of Religious Affairs. Eight of the projects that will link the Ministry of Religious Affairs with the public also include e-Islam Information Kiosk, Zakat Management System, i-Dirasah, i-Masjid and SisMI Phase II. The Ministry has been allocated a total budget of B$40.69 million for the 12 projects.

Once completed, SisMI Phase 1 will be the online gateway for Islamic knowledge and services.

It will enhance the delivery and management of activities such as Pre-marriage courses, Marriage-related complaints, Syariah Criminal Related Complaints, Conversions and safeguarding "Aqidah".

Skali's practical experience includes large-scale e-government projects in Malaysia including projects for the Employees Provident Fund, Johor State Government, Central Bank of Malaysia, Islam Digital Library, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Finance in addition to numerous e-business projects for various enterprises.

By Laila Rahman

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

22 February 2005