SUBANG JAYA: The Government has set up an E-Sovereignty Working Group to combat computer-related crimes and abuses on the Internet. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the working group, set up under the auspices of the National Information Technology Council, would study ways to check abuses including tightening laws.

"Lately, we have seen negative elements such as misuse of the Internet, violation of and virus attacks on databases and computer crimes, creeping in and threatening the peace of individuals and society.

"The Government is sensitive to this and is taking steps to stop such problems from spreading, including tightening legislation," he said when opening the InfoSoc Malaysia conference.

His speech was read by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Abu Hassan Omar.

Abdullah said the government's efforts would be in vain if not supported by the people.

"The most effective way is to fortify one's self and the family through self discipline (to shield against negative influences)," he said.

Abdullah said the regional economic crisis was not a reason for Malaysia to shelve its plans and ambitions for IT.

He pointed out that the global technology revolution would not wait for Asian economies to get out of their current difficulties.

"Indeed, change is speeding up. Malaysia will use this period to position ourselves to exploit the opportunities when the upturn comes, as it will," he said.

He noted it was critical to success to develop a skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial workforce.

To achieve this, Malaysians should develop a "mindset of continual learning, unlearning and relearning," he said.

To stay ahead of the competition, Abdullah said, Malaysia should actively tap talents around the region and attract the ablest minds to work here.

Meanwhile National Information Technology Council secretary Dr Tengku Mohd Azzman Shariffadeen said Subang Jaya has been chosen for a pilot project to make it an IT community by 2005.

He said the SJ2005 project differed from others in the country as it involved building relevant infrastructure around the community.

He noted the conventional approach in Penang, Sarawak and the Multimedia Super Corridor was to put the infrastructure first before the community moved in.

"The weakness here is that the community feels left out --not just the ordinary people but also the captains of industry.

"The new approach, however, will be community driven. They decide what they want," he told reporters yesterday after the opening of the Infosoc Malaysia conference.

Dr Azzman said Subang Jaya was chosen because it had a number of businesses and industries, was relatively a new area with young families and its 500,000 population were mostly from the high income group.

He said if the project succeeded, the council would adopt it throughout the country.