The Malaysian government is failing to meet its
computer distribution target, according to the Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (PIKOM). The government had set a target of achieving 50 per cent
broadband penetration rate by the end of 2010, though with this figure currently standing at 26 per cent, the target is looking an unlikely prospect. 35 per cent of Malaysian homes have
laptop or
desktop PCs, but PIKOM warned this figure would need to double in order to meet the 50 per cent
internet availability target.
The 50 per cent target would allegedly add 135,000 new
jobs to the Malaysian economy, and another percentage point to their GDP.
Computers are continuing to increase in their availability to emerging audiences such as Malaysia. This is true of desktops but the greater affordability of
notebooks and
netbooks is the main reason for the extension of the global broadband audience.
Chairman of PIKOM, David Wong, called for a return to the
PC ownership scheme in a bid to meet the ambitious 50 per cent target. Under the scheme, consumers could withdraw up to RM3,500 from their savings, though the scheme was ended after allegations of misuse.