WASSALATU WASSALAMU ALA

ASYRAFIL AMBIYA’I WALMURSALIN,

WA’ALA ALIHI WASAHBIHI AJMA’IN,

ASSALAMU’ALAIKUM

WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH.

The General Manager of UNITEK COMPANY,

Mr. Wong Leng Yoon;

Distinguished guests; Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am pleased to be here this morning for the MICROSOFT XP Software Launching ceremony, and I thank UNITEK COMPANY for inviting me to be part of an exciting new development in the world of information and communications technology.

I have been informed that, over the years, UNITEK COMPANY has strived to provide reliable and responsible service to the ICT community in Brunei Darussalam. In its efforts to do so, it has restructured its organization with a view to responding faster to innovations and shifts in the demand for ICT-related services, while at the same time, setting the standards for customer satisfaction through its after-sales service and support.

A software launch such as this symbolizes the company’s commitment to developing the ICT knowledge, skills and expertise, not just of its employees, but also of the wider community, software designers and manufacturers are constantly developing more effective business and productivity tools that will help both companies and individuals to enhance productivity and give them that competitive edge. In this respect, Microsoft has constantly been at the leading edge of software design and production. Whatever one may think of Microsoft, it seems as committed as ever to research, and the development of new software products, such as the one that will be unveiled shortly.

The launch of a new product is an excellent occasion for focusing our attention on where we are today. This morning we are looking at one aspect of Information Communications Technology, and shortly we will be unveiling the latest addition to this technology that is at once more open, more diverse and more inclusive than ever before in modern civilization. Information and communications technology embodies perhaps the best aspects of the internationalization and globalisation process, and it is no surprise, therefore, that ICT has attained a prominence in almost all international forums, such as e-ASEAN, APEC and the WTO.

The software product that is about to be launched symbolizes the remarkable innovations in information and advanced communication technologies. Such innovations and advancements in ICT, particularly among several nations, have enabled these nations to gain a competitive edge over others, thus leading to the threat of a digital divide. It is, therefore, the challenge of the “other” nations, including Brunei Darussalam, to stay on the advancing side of the digital divide so as not to be marginalized or left behind, by keeping up with the technological advancement that is taking place worldwide. One aspect of this technological advancement is the development of modern telecommunications networks, and a broadening of access to the international telecommunications network and electronic commerce.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Electronic business offers considerably new business opportunities and benefits in terms of cost-savings for businesses. It empowers consumers by giving them more information on which to base their decisions, more choices in their source of supply, and a greater ability to demand customized goods and services. It enables governments to improve the quality and effectiveness of services to the community, and to be more responsive to the needs of the community.

The new world of social and commercial interaction, brought about by advances in information technology, has come to be called the information economy. Brunei Darussalam’s future prosperity in this new world requires a cooperative effort on the part of all levels of the government, the private sector, and the general community, if we are to capture the growing potential in new market; if we wish to boost employment and small business activity; and if we want to maximize innovation and creativity. E-commerce creates enormous potential for growth for businesses and it has the power to shape the face of international trade. Businesses in this country, in the near future, will need to keep pace with growing local demand from consumers for internet shopping, and from SMEs for e-business procurement practices. The internet is a global medium which allows foreign companies easy access into the local consumer market. It is therefore crucial that businesses remain competitive and agile to meet the challenges posed by the new financial markets and economies.

There is no doubting that the use of information and communications technology in businesses is the key to improving business practices. Everywhere today, technology is driving businesses. It is a cliché to say that ICT has the ability to enable businesses to operate more effectively, yet it is a cliché that still holds true: ICT cuts through all business functions from accounting, to marketing, and to transaction processing, thus making them more effective processes which help to enhance productivity. In addition, ICT provides businesses with strategic business opportunities that will provide them with a competitive edge.

In this connection, the government, through the Brunei Information Technology Council, is actively pursuing a national policy to increase ICT literacy in the country, which will, directly or indirectly, benefit the business community as well as the wider community. If we view Information and Communications Technology as essentially about having access to information, about sharing information, about increasing creativity and productivity, and about being connected to people beyond conventional boundaries (and if I may add, with just a click of a mouse), it follows, therefore, that an ICT-literate nation will certainly benefit from being equipped with a powerful tool which will improve the well-being of its people.

Information and communications technology is changing the way the world learns, works and communicates. In a globalised world, knowledge-and knowledge of ICT – is power.

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Consistent with the government’s efforts to create a nation of highly ICT – literate and empowered individuals, it is encouraging to see the increase in the number of cyber cafés or internet cafés around the country. By definition, a “cyber café” is a café which serves snacks and drinks, and at the same time offers its patrons the use of computers with internet access, either at no charge or for a fee. It is, essentially, a technology-infused version of the good old “kedai kopi”.

While the establishment of such outlets is an inevitable progression, and indeed a necessary step, in our efforts to make information and communications technology more accessible to the people, there is, nevertheless, a need to prevent negative elements from getting to the young people who frequent these premises. Based on observations carried out by the licensing authorities, many of the cyber/internet café have been found to provide video games, often of an extremely violent nature such as “Counter Strike” and other commando simulation games, where the ultimate objective is, and I quote – “to kill all enemy”. Another cause for concern is also the observation that children of schooling age, who had had either escaped school or finished earlier, were to found frequenting these cyber establishments, or loitering around the cafes, many of them well into the night, while another concern is the level of noise that emanates from these establishments.

It is indeed regrettable to see that, in such cases, the Government’s policy, which is aimed at fostering the growth of the internet and improving access to information and communications technology, has been misinterpreted and misrepresented; and that the licence or permit granted to such cyber establishments to operate has, sadly, been abused. If this phenomenon continues, government regulations may need to be enforced in order to protect the public interest.

It is therefore crucial for the private sector to support the government’s effort towards creating and maintaining the conditions that will help to deliver the promise of full social and economic benefits, as well as individual empowerment, from the Internet and other ICT- related networks.

Today’s product launch can be regarded as one step in that direction. I have been informed that the new MICROSOFT OFFICE XP STANDARD is aimed at streamlining how people work with information and with other people, making it easier for individuals to share information and collaborate effectively, It has been hailed as a tool that will help to deliver new standards in enhancing office productivity.

On that note, I wish to thank UNITEK COMPANY for inviting me to officiate at this software launching ceremony. Finally, I extend my congratulations to MICROSOFT Singapore, COMPAQ, and UNITEK COMPANY on the launch of the MICROSOFT OFFICE XP in Brunei Darussalam today.

WABILLAHIT TAUFIK WALHIDAYAH ASSALAMUALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAHI WABARAKATUH.

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