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We call on the Prime Minister to announce the commitment of Bill Gates and other major players for the development of Information and communications Technology (ICT) in Malaysia, in addition to the RM10 million Partners in Learning (PIL) programme by Microsoft Corp.   Press Statement by Dr Tan Seng Giaw    (Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday): The Phase One (1996-2003) development plan of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) saw some progress such as Ciberjaya and Putrajaya. It also shows the haziness about the area of MSC, the virtual lack of broadband and the invisible e-village. Phase Two (2003-2010) may see MSC in Kulim and Penang and Phase Three ( 2010-2020) may witness Malaysia developing into a truly knowledge-based society. We hope Pak Lah can spearhead the widespread use of the broadband. At least, our Parliament has it.  Despite the initiatives such as Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) and Lead Logistic Integrator (LLI), e-commerce is still lagging behind in the country. In the Eighth Malaysia Plan, the Government spends RM1.3 billion for prime applications like e-government, RM4.7 billion for computerization at schools and government agencies as well as RM359.2 million to close the digital gap. The scandal of the computer lab emphasizes the need to ensure that there is value for money.   Bill Gates is not a major investor in MSC. The Government often says that it costs more to use Microsoft proprietary software instead of the open-source software. The press quotes Gates as saying that the PM wants Malaysia to develop its own intellectual property.   As a member of the International Advisory Panel (IAP) on the development of the MSC, Gates makes diplomatic calls, but he invests billions in Bangalore, India. We welcome his PIL programme that trains teachers and develop curriculum to teach schoolchildren. But, he does this in 60 countries.   We are concerned about ICT in this country, which among others, will be an important part in the development of Malaysia. We would like to preserve those things and values that are good. But, we must add ICT to the society.   At present, Bill Gates does not seem to do much in Malaysia. We would like to know the part played by Gates and other major players in our country’s ICT. While we concentrate on creating our own intellectual property, we still need foreign companies in MSC as part of the global village.   (30/6/2004) * Dr Tan Seng Giaw, DAP National Vice-Chairman and MP for Kepong