• Microsoft and several technology giants have made their video conferencing tools freely available to enhance Malaysian businesses’ work-from-home capabilities
• The move is part of the larger #DigitalVsCovid Movement, spearheaded by MDEC as a positive response platform that collates digital resources for Malaysians, to mitigate the impact of Covid-19

Businesses around Malaysia have implemented emergency work-from-home (WFH) policies for three weeks now to minimize social contact and curb COVID-19’s proliferation. The Ministry of Communications and Multimedia, through the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) strongly encourages all Malaysian employers to maintain WFH operations.  Business owners and management teams are encouraged to deploy digital technologies to maximise employee productivity, whilst maintaining the primary goal of keeping them and their families safe and healthy at home.

To incentivise companies to adopt digitally powered WFH arrangements during the MCO, Microsoft along with six global digital technology companies with operations in Malaysia are offering complimentary remote collaboration tools with video conferencing facilities to all businesses in Malaysia, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Among these tools being offered is Microsoft Teams, which is aimed at helping employees stay connected with their companies and team members to ensure business activities run normally.

According to MDEC’s CEO, Surina Shukri, the current unprecedented situation in Malaysia has forced businesses to re-evaluate their mode of operations:

“Business owners have to now find that balance between unexpected disruptions and protecting the health and welfare of their employees. Already, all employers are analysing existing company policies to determine whether any adjustments for current working processes are needed. More specifically, they must be ready to address the significant impacts this pandemic will create. Now is the time to activate the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) and go fully digital,” she explained.

Malaysia is well-poised to enjoy digital investments with its robust digital infrastructure, tech-savvy population and support from tech companies like Microsoft. Malaysia is already a primary business continuity hub for most multinational companies (MNCs). Now more than ever, MDEC is firmly committed to drive digital investment and steer Malaysia through its current challenges.

“MDEC itself has used these remote collaboration digital tools to participate in multiple industry-focused conferences, specifically interactive web-seminars with ecosystem partners. Additionally, we have also organised multiple industry-focused events like the recent Data Economy Immersion virtual conference with key market players and various workshops to share eCommerce and business management skills and tips,” she added.

MDEC calls for all organisations to take advantage of these offerings, and for employers to find the best way to enhance their business’ WFH arrangements.  Digital entities are also encouraged to come forward with pro bono services that can help aid the local business community. Together, we can help Malaysia manage the disruptions that this global pandemic had created.

For the full list of video-conferencing and collaborative tools being offered, please visit www.mdec.my.

To find out more about Microsoft Teams or to learn how you can leverage it in your organisation, please visit https://news.microsoft.com/en-my/2020/03/17/our-commitment-to-customers-during-covid-19 or contact +601548400072 (ext 2030) for more information.

About Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) 

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) is a government agency under the purview of the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia entrusted to lead Malaysia’s digital economy forward. Incorporated in 1996 to oversee the development of the MSC Malaysia initiative, MDEC’s primary mandate today is to accelerate the growth of digitally-skilled Malaysians, digitally-powered businesses and digital investments in Malaysia. MDEC is focused on creating inclusive, high-quality growth through the nationwide digitalisation initiatives that are in line with the Government’s  Shared Prosperity Vision 2030 and firmly establishing Malaysia as the Heart of Digital ASEAN.

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