The Readiness of Malaysia Digital Economy: A Study of Three Government Policies from 1991 to 2020

The Malaysian government has foreseen the importance of the digital economy to the nation since 1996. In 1996 and 1998, respectively, the Malaysia Digital Economy Development (MDEC) and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) were established to regulate the industry and articulate digital economy initiatives both from public and private sectors. This study aims to review the digital economy policies introduced by three governments, i.e. Barisan Nasional, Pakatan Harapan and Perikatan Nasional, since the Independence in 1957 until 2020. Each ruling government has announced its digital economy initiatives as significant contributors to the national economic development. The review of the policies will include the Malaysia Plans, yearly budgets and economic stimulus packages. The outcome of this review will significantly help to evaluate the country’s readiness in embarking on the digital economy, and provide recommendations for future digital economy initiatives.