The latest report from the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) shows that Malaysia is getting closer to the target of a fully digital society, with more than 90% of the population now having basic skills in information and communication technology (ICT).
The youth play a key role in this dominance with a dominance rate exceeding 95%. This shows the willingness of the younger generation to accept change and utilize it as an opportunity to develop their potential and face future challenges.
In the same report, smartphone usage among Malaysians was also found to have increased to 97.9%, while internet access via mobile broadband reached 95.7%. This reflects the increasing reliance on mobile technology in daily life, especially for daily activities such as using social media and online shopping.
In addition, the gap in internet usage between men and women is narrowing, with the internet usage rate for men at 98.4% and for women at 97.6%. This development shows an increase in digital equality among Malaysians.
The report also highlights the increasing proficiency of Malaysians in using computers, especially in basic activities such as sending emails, transferring files, and installing software on their own. This clearly shows that digital skills are no longer a privilege, but have become a basic necessity in modern life.
In line with global trends, fixed-line telephone usage continues to decline, clearly reflecting the shift to mobile technology.