Another RM50 mill flushed down into the toilet!

by drrafick

1. I am really amazed sometimes on the level of stupidity of the people running our government. In a completely stealth mode the government has approved a RM50 mill project to Tricubes where they will be responsible for creating one Malaysia email network. It seems the system is in final stages of development. Officially the objective is to facilitate the secure delivery of statements, bills and notices from the Government. One must appreciate, that this is the beginning. For a good certainty there will be more billing to the government to maintain such a system.
   

2. The official justification given is simply useless. There is not even an ounce of justification to have such a system. However I must say that from a political point of view it could be considered an alternative propaganda channel targeting the growing internet savvy population. This kind of idea can only come from a foreign based political consultant. Email subscribers will be profiled and bombarded with relevant propaganda materials that are best suited for them. They will get “political marketing materials” as well as “tele-marketing of political agendas” via your declared phone numbers.
   

3. At a time when the country debt is growing at an alarming level, one would expect a responsible government to be thrifty in spending public funds. When Malaysian can get a free yet secure and safe email system from Google and Yahoo, there are no justifications in doing this project. I have been receiving bills from Maxis, Astro, statements from EPF, e-filing notification via my gmail without issues. In fact in many instances when I filled government forms with email address, I have never been communicated via email. They still reply using letters most of the time. For the record my emails to certain MPAJ officials including the YDP were never replied or replied way too late. My recent issue with MPAJ on the slope maintenance in my area has gone over 22 days where the YDP has not responded till on my email.
   

4. I suspect RM50 mill is just the start. The government probably wants to create an ASP model (Toll model) where the people who wants to subscribe certain government documents may be charged based on amount of data send. Even if that is the case, there is no justification to have a separate email network. Even Maybank2u finds it is good enough to deal with me with Gmail. The people must be prepared to divulge your private identity and lifestyle to the political parties via proxy. Personally I regard this project as a blatant abused by an irresponsible government.