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Continue To Monitor All Sectors For Glitches From Y2K, The Millennium Bug Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong on the smooth-running of all major systems despite the anxiety about Y2K. 2.1.2000 | |||||||
| The overwhelming celebrations all over the world to welcome the New Millennium have brought good omens. One of them is the lack of disturbances due to Y2K, the Millennium Bug. Let us hope that these will not happen in the months to come. Over the past three years, the Government has spent over RM 600 million to overcome potential difficulties from Y2K. Computer experts predicted that unless something was done the tendency of computer users to use the year in short form such as 99 instead of 1999 might confuse computer systems to recognize the year 2000 as 1000 or 0. This might bring disasters such as electricity outage. Since the clock struck 12 midnight, hitherto the 1 January 2000 has seen all systems go smoothly in sectors such as banking, energy, oil and gas, water, health, telecommunications, transport, sewerage and government departments. This is good news. According to Energy, Telecommunications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Amar Leo Moggie the National Y2K Operation Centre will monitor possible glitches during office hours, and will | |
continue with a 24-hour watch beginning 28 February 2000. Why February 28, not earlier? Although there are no disturbances thus far, these cannot be ruled out in the next few months. Hence, there is a need for the centre to keep on monitoring. After the initial experience, it will then know how long to go on doing so. The Government has allocated about RM 4 billion for the development of information technology, IT, including over RM 1.1 billion for smart schools, telemedicine and multipurpose cards. In addition RM 600 million for the prevention of Y2K disaster. With the huge amount of money, we expect all IT projects to be completed successfully. Ensuring no Y2K disturbances is essential. The National IT Council, NITC, has formulated a National IT Plan to transform the Malaysian society into a knowledge-based civil society. Investment in IT expands at about 8.4 % a year. We expect that there will be meaningful growth in the use of IT. We should be free from Y2K glitches so that the various sectors and IT projects will not be affected.
Dr Tan Seng Giaw | |||||
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