IT bill being fine-tuned, ministry seeks input

PUTRAJAYA, Nov 15, 2011 (New Straits Times) -- The proposed Computing Professionals Bill 2011 is still being refined.

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Seri Dr Maximus Ongkili said the ministry was waiting for feedback from the public, especially professionals in the information technology industry.

He said if the IT industry did not want the bill, then the proposal would be discarded.

Concerns were raised when a draft of the bill was posted on the Internet on Dec 8.

"The proposed bill has yet to be sent to the Attorney-General's Chambers. It can still be changed or put on hold if the public or industry players do not support it," he said at a press conference yesterday after his ministry's post-cabinet meeting.

He added that individuals could give their feedback by emailing to bcpm@mosti.gov.my by Jan 15.

Maximus said the idea for the bill was not mooted by the government but by the industry and that the ministry was just the facilitator.

"The idea came from the industry's stakeholders, such as computer science graduates, multinationals and academicians."

Asked if there was a time frame on the setting up of the Board of Computing Professionals (BCPM), Maximus said the cabinet committee hoped that the consultation would be concluded by the middle of next year.

"The BCPM is in the consultation stage and any decision will depend on the needs of the industry and the public.

"The ministry will be weighing the opinions from all stakeholders. We hope that the consultation can be completed in six months' time."