MalaysiaGIS.com

Kuala Lumpur, Sat, - Some government agencies and departments are shying away from adopting information technology in their operations as they are overwhelmed with it.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today many felt they would be unable to handle the modernization brought about by computers, hence the reluctance in utilizing new methods.

"Although we have provided various means, they still want to use the old system," he said after launching the Survey and National Mapping Department's e-commerce portal.

It is the first e-commerce portal to be implemented in the public sector. It enables customers to survey information over the Internet.

Among the products available are digital survey data and certified plan images which are required for land development, hence obtaining the necessary information fast through the Internet will help speed up the development of the country.

Dr Mahathir was asked to elaborate on his speech where he noted that while many departments and agencies had made full use of IT, some were still lagging.

"But if they start using new system, they will find that it is not that difficult. What's needed is daily practice."

When pointed out that the Manpower and Implementation Unit had initiated an IT programme for all government agencies, the Prime Minister said there were still those who were uncomfortable with it.