Malaysian Communications & Multimedia Commission takes over regulatory role for postal services

THE Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has taken over the regulatory role for postal services and digital signature certification from the Government. Energy, Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Amar Leo Moggie said the Government is of the view that the MCMC is ready to assume the role and regulate both activities. “It will not be an easy job,” he told reporters in Kuala Lumpur after a ceremony to hand over the functions from the ministry to the MCMC yesterday. Under the amended Postal Services Act (1991) and Digital Signature Act (1997) that were passed in Parliament on September 27 2001, the MCMC is to be the watchdog for both postal services and digital signature certification. Leo Moggie said the Government views postal services and digital signature certification as integral components of electronic digital transmissions and transactions. This is because they form part and parcel of the elements that ensure trust, integrity and security of the digital network, he added. Leo Moggie said it is natural for both certification to be integrated within the whole process of the converging communications and multimedia industry. Meanwhile, MCMC chairman Tan Sri Nuraizah Abdul Hamid said the handover was part of the industry-wide convergence and consolidation originally envisaged in the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998. MCMC was established with the specific purpose of putting into effect the law, she added. On the MCMC’s Framework for Industry Development 2001-2005, Leo Moggie said the blue print is “a work in progress”, and will be reviewed from time to time. He suggested that the first review be done soon to combine the needs and requirements of the postal services industry and digital signature certification. Such a review is crucial for the country’s information and communications technology sector to keep abreast with the rapid changing technological developments.