E-Government in Malaysia

The implementation of electronic government (e-government) started since the initiation Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC), 1996, by the Malaysian government. Malaysia's ranking is 25th out of 32 countries in terms of e-government usage growth.


The motive of e-government in Malaysia is to improve the convenience, accessibility and quality of interactions with citizens and businesses. At the same time, it also to improve information flows and processes within government to improve the speed and quality of policy development, coordination and enforcement.


There are four types of e-government services that provided in Malaysia, this consists of Government-to-Citizen (G2C), Government-to-business (G2B), Government-to-Employee (G2E), and Government-to-Government (G2G).

There are many e-government Malaysia projects are in progress, such as Generic Office Environment (GOE), Electronic Procurement Project, Human Resource Management Information System, Electronic Directory Services (eServices), and so on.

However, there are some current application of e-government already in practice in Malaysia, for instance, E-Perolehan, e-Filling, Renewing Road Tax and Driving License online, and KWSP’s i-Akaun.


Problems that might faced by the users is about the trust, integrity and securities of the e-applications. New net users may find it difficult to use the e-applications because they don't know where to look for help or advice. Besides that, lack of knowledge and awareness of e-applications also another problem that not encouraging public to use those applications.

Malaysia government should actually organize campaigns on the awareness of e-government applications. Moreover, tighter and enhance the security and creditability of the e-applications data from easily being hacked.

Some useful links:-

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/2029204.stm
http://www.intanbk.intan.my/psimr/articles/Article1%20-%20Full.pdf
http://www.american.edu/initeb/ym6974a/egovernment.htm#E-Government%20Overview
http://portal.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=1328057.1328151&coll=&dl=GUIDE&type=series&idx=SERIES10714&part=series&WantType=Proceedings&title=AICPS

Corporate Blogging: A new marketing communication tool for companies

A corporate blog is a weblog published and used by the organization to reach the organizational goals. Blog can bring a human personality to a faceless company, which can create a connection between the corporation and the client. It is a new marketing communication tool for the companies.


An example of corporate blog is Dell's Direct2Dell. This team is extremely plugged in to the blogosphere and social media in general. The statement is right in the banner: "A blog about Dell products, services, and customers".

Advantages of corporate blogs:-

• Help the organization to develop stronger relationships and brand loyalty with its customers, as they interact with the human face of the organization through blogs.

• It shares useful and engaging content, for example, the latest information, discussion topics and ideas. When customers start commenting, posting or tracking back to blog, companies then able find a better ways to satisfy customers needs and wants, thus facilitating goodwill in the community.

Disadvantages of corporate blog:-

• It’s easy to start a blog but it is hard to be maintained. Writing coherently is one of the most difficult and time-consuming tasks for a human being to undertake.

• Could be harmful for company if some employees use to write negatively comments about the company, thus leading to bad publicity.
  

Some useful links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_blog
http://www.newcommreview.com/?p=672
http://www.backbonemedia.com/blogsurvey/
http://www.enterpriseblogs.info/corporate-blogging/advantages
http://www.enterpriseblogs.info/corporate-blogging/disadvantages
http://direct2dell.com/one2one/archive/2007/05/01/13147.aspx
http://www.helium.com/items/254062-the-pros-and-cons-of-corporate-blogging
http://buzzmedia.com.my/blog/08/corporate-blogging-breakdown-what-it-and-why-does-my-organisation-need-it


Some prominent corporate blogs in Malaysia:-
http://www.flamed2.com/urban/
http://www.kidchanstudio.com/blog/
http://www.malaysiaairlinesblog.com/

Things to take note to prevent e-auction fraud when a consumer participating in an e-auction

Online auction are a great way to buy almost anything. Like the world’s biggest and strangest shopping mall, there are people selling things that you didn’t even know existed.

Types of e-auction frauds:-

Bid shielding is the practice of placing a low bid in an auction online and having a second person enter a bid that is high enough to get other bidders to drop out or not even bid. Then at the last second, the high bid is retracted and the low bid wins.

Misleading descriptions where sometimes descriptions include too much flowery language or omit important details.

Fake photos where almost every listing has a picture of the item with it. Dishonest sellers will put up a misleading photo or even a photo of a different item.


Prevention methods of e-auction frauds:-

• Some internet auctioneer such as Ebay does provide a voluntary program for the users to provide their information such as date of birth and driver’s license number for online verification purposes. Users are encouraged to subscribe for this program.

• The consumers can check up on the Feedback forum which is available in the auction website to find out the supplier’s trading reputation and the reliability of the auction website based on the comments given.

• The consumers should gain sufficient knowledge and education effort regarding online auction process and the fraud that might occurred.

• The seller should allow the buyer or the buyer’s representative to inspect the items before the auction starts and the buyers must take the initiative to check the items on the other hand.

• There is an insurance package program for certain auction transitions that can be taken up by the consumers. This insurance usually covers items price up to certain value.

Useful links:

http://online.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Online_Auction_Tips
http://www.lawnet.lk/docs/articles/international/HTML/BA94.html
http://www.police.gov.hk/police/pprb/peb/english/072604_e.html
http://wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/260/267260/online_appendices/Turban-Appendix2A.pdf

Review a local e-commerce site- Vision Solution Computer

Vision Solution Computer (VSComp) is a local computer shop in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It started its online business on 21 March, 2007. Url of this company is http://www.vscomp.net.VSComp are selling computer's hardware and software. Besides that, provides specialized computer solution such as computer repairing and upgrading.

Basically the is no any design in VSComp website and the background is white, Verdana font type and fronts are black in color. Categories of the page also allow consumers to quickly eyeball the areas they are interested in. The consumers can easily and directly look for the information they needed through the VScomp website.

In the website of VSComp, it provides detailed products information, and display the pictures of each products. The pictures are clear, and able to download it fast.

On the right hand site of Vscomp website, can be able to see the shopping cart, it is to assist consumers to make online purchasing.They can make the online payment via Visa, Master card, Amex, Discover, e-Check and Paypal.

Search engine is provided in the website, and it brings their store up when searching for the product they sell, it is convenience for consumers.

It is a good navigation in the website. The top of the page showed the important link for consumer, such as the logo can link to the home page, shopping cart and search engine.

Electronic Currency- Firstgate's Click & Buy

Electronic currency refers to money or scrip which is exchanged only electronically. Basically, it involves the use of computer networks, the internet and digital stored valued systems. For instance, direct deposit and Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT).

Firstgate's ClickandBuy makes it easy to buy and sell online. Almost for 8 years, Firstgate's innovative Internet payment and billing system has been one of the established market leaders in Europe and now they are expanding worldwide.

Clickandbuy e-payment can be used with more than 7000 online merchants around the globe, this includes Skype, MSN, AOL, Electronic Arts (EA) and T-online.

How does ClickandBuy works:

For small business, Firstgate offer a pay-per-view and/or basic subscription functionality, registration. Small business enterprise will have direct access to the merchant account and then can begin marketing online within a short time.

For corporate accounts, ClickandBuy offers many different ways to present your content or service and bill your buyers. Consumers will have access to the full power of the ClickandBuy system, including the ability to offer multiple subscriptions, bundle subscriptions and pay-per-view, or offer special promotions.

Customers of ClickandBuy will be able to enjoy the following benefits:-

• Secure payment
• One-time free online registration
• Overview of purchases made in real time
• Immediate access to paid content with 7.000 merchants.
• Convenient payment through direct debit, credit card, invoice or prepaid account
• Transparency and cost control in your personal account management
• An up-to-date overview of open transactions, current subscriptions and invoices

Some useful links:

http://www.clickandbuy.com/US/en/
http://www.geercom.com/emicropayments.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_cash

Credit Card Debts: Causes & Prevention

Credit card services provide us a chance to spend excessively without any control. It also opens a pathway for the users to get into financial troubles that may take years to repay the debts.

Causes of consumer overspent:

Basically is the psychological reason where at the moment that consumer are tempted to spend money with a credit card, and there's nothing to remind that have a budget.

A poor money management, which led to excessive spending and loss of self control, will cause a serious financial debt when consumer can’t monitor the money their are spending by using a credit card.


Preventions on overspending:

Many people do not know how and do not understand the meaning of “save and invest for a rainy day”. The simplest way to avoid unwanted debts is to prepare for unexpected expenditures by saving 3 to 6 months of living expenses.

To determine monthly income, needed expenses and aware of the interest rate offered. Consumers are being advised to use debit card which has a limited amount of money in it to prevent excessive spending.

Besides that, signing up for automatic payment feature on credit card to ensure payment is being made every month also reduces the risk of incurring late payment charges.

Last but not least, consumers should monitor the amount of charges imposed on the credit card in relation to credit limit, which will smooth out the repayment process. and helps to control consumers’ spending.

Useful links:

http://soundmoneytips.com/article/41938-use-virtual-credit-cards
http://www.mortgageguideuk.co.uk/blog/frugality/7-ways-to-avoid-overspending/
http://www.thedigeratilife.com/blog/index.php/2007/01/25/stop-overspending-now-14-ways-to-conquer-binge-buying/
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/FindDealsOnline/5ReasonsYouOverspendOnline.aspx

The application of pre-paid cash card for consumers

Visa Buxx Card is a prepaid cash card and is it not an ordinary debit card. This card is purposely designed to provide teens with responsibility and independence but in the mean time, keeping the parents informed and in control on teens’ spending.

The consumers especially the parents are able to load money into this card via online or phone and monitor their children’s spending. The amount of purchase will be automatically being deducted from the amount of money available in the card and only the teen whose name appears on the card can use the card.

MuchMusic has also launches a prepaid cash card for teen recently which is similar to Visa Buxx Card. MuchMusic card can be used can be used any place where Mastercardis accepted. The new cardholders of this card also get 10 free downloads from MuchMusic.com and a 15% discount from MuchStore on Queen St. West.

In Malaysia, Touch n Go card, a cash prepaid card is being widely used in paying tolls, major public transportation services such as Putra Lrt, selected parking sites and also theme parks. The cardholder can reload the card at petrol kiosk, toll plaza and even at Auto Teller Machine (ATM).

Useful links:

http://www.touchngo.com.my/WhatTNG.html

http://usa.visa.com/personal/cards/prepaid/visa_buxx.html

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_8684.aspx