Microsoft Reinforces Commitment To Malaysia

PUTRAJAYA, May 25 (Bernama) -- Microsoft Malaysia on Tuesday underlined its position as a partner to the Malaysian government and further reinforced its commitment as the nation embarked on plans to transform to an innovation economy.

This was relayed during a meeting between Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Steve Ballmer, Chief Executive Officer of Microsoft Corporation at the Prime Minister's Office here Tuesday.

During the meeting, Najib and Ballmer who was here today to launch Microsoft Online Services in Malaysia, exchanged views on the government and private sector's plans to achieve the goal of an innovation economy.

A joint statement issued here said that the two also discussed the benefits of cloud solutions for Malaysian businesses and how, if the cloud computing's full potentials are allowed to be fully realised, the Malaysian economy can be taken to the next level of innovation and economic growth.

Ballmer expressed confidence that the collaboration between Microsoft and the government would drive the innovation of public service delivery systems by allowing government employees quick and easy access to a virtually unlimited pool of storage and computing resources.

He said "in leading the uptake of the cloud computing and delivering more public services online, the public sector will have an enormous influence on the market."

He also said that Microsoft has always been fully committed to Malaysia, being an important market for the company in the region.

"With the announcement of the availability of the Microsoft Online Services in Malaysia, the first emerging economy in the region that now has access to the company's full range of cloud computing capabilities, we are further strengthening our commitment to the market.

"Cloud computing would allow SMEs and entrepreneurs in Malaysia to benefit from lower up-front costs, greater efficiencies and computing power.

"The government of Malaysia has enormous potential to be a leader in innovative solutions through the adoption of cloud-based solutions. In that sense, the government has a pivotal role to play - as a regulator, facilitator, user and promoter," he said.

At the meeting, Ballmer also hailed steps the government has taken to invest in modernising and expanding the nation's broadband internet network, citing the recent launch of the High Speed Broadband as a perfect example.

He further highlighted interest to collaborate with the Malaysian government to spark innovation and help achieve its strategic technology goals as part of the Government Transformation Programme