Accountability after the information revolution; disengagement in the age of distraction and the practice of digital diplomacy are the three challenges that need to be confronted to build, develop and sustain nations in this hyperconnected world, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, today.
He said the information technology has evolved exponentially to the extent most of the people carry the world in their pockets using communication gadgets.
Najib said people are freer than ever to share ideas about governance instantly and to the global audience.
Empowered by the information revolution, he said those who have internet access can hold their governments to greater account.
"They can access a huge range of statistics, indicators and international comparisons. They can read and engage with opinions and political philosophies from different systems around the world.
"And if they are unhappy with the state of their government, they can and will tell the world about it, in real time, with pictures, videos and hashtags to help their message across," he said when officiating the Umno International Forum with the theme "A Hyperconnected World: Challenges in Nation Building" at
the Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here, today.
The second challenge, Najib said was that the people are increasingly getting their social interaction from friends, family and even strangers online, replacing time spent socialising in real life.
However, he said nation building requires the engagement of the people who make up the nation.
"In response, we must find new and creative ways to ensure people remain engaged with their local communities, that they feel as much a part of their nation as they do their favourite Facebook group," he added.
Najib also said in a connected world, diplomacy which has been the ultimate "black box", an invisible process by which governments interact on behalf of their people is now being more public than ever.
He said the change has come from below and above.
"From below, because of the release of thousands of classified documents online that has changed public and diplomatic discourse forever. Governments and businesses now know that their secrets can be shared not just with their competitors but with the whole world instantly, anonymously and permanently," he said.
He said if it is from above, it is because the nation itself is now online where according to recent research, more than 150 countries have government twitter accounts and more than 500 government ministers are on Twitter.
"With so many people twitting on behalf of nations and so many lively discussions online, it is inevitable that sometimes tweets, status updates or blog post will slip past the diplomatic and common-sense protocol," he said.
Najib however said the internet carries huge oppurtunities for education, economic development and social interaction.
"As leaders and parties, we can ensure that the internet, one of the most significant inventions of our time, remains one of the most beneficial and we can harness its power to the cause of nationbuilding.
Bernama
Mon Nov 24 2014
NAJIB: People are freer than ever to share ideas about governance instantly and to the global audience. - File Photo
Negara Islam tiada kuasa campur tangan dari aspek perundangan
Sebaliknya, satu bentuk pakatan seperti Pertubuhan Kerjasama Islam (OIC) dalam membawa perubahan dan mengecam apa dilakukan rejim Zionis.
Iran buka semula ruang udara, tarik balik sekatan penerbangan
Iran telah menarik balik sekatan penerbangan di seluruh negara, membuka jalan untuk menyambung semula penerbangan berjadual di semua lapangan terbangnya.
iPhone 17 Plus mungkin guna saiz skrin lebih kecil
Apple dilihat benar-benar ingin mengasingkan model Pro Max sebagai model paling mercu dengan ciri eksklusif seperti iPhone 15 Pro Max.
[KOLUMNIS] Veto AS ke atas Palestin: Pengkhianatan terhadap keadilan dan kesaksamaan
CENTHRA berasa amat kecewa dengan tindakan unilateral ini yang menyebabkan AS berdiri sendirian menentang kemasukan Palestin.
'Cukup sekadar boikot, jangan ganas dan melampau' - Na’im Mokhtar
Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri (Hal Ehwal Agama), Datuk Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, menyarankan semua pihak agar sentiasa menjaga keharmonian dan perpaduan dalam bersolidariti kepada rakyat Palestin.
[TERKINI] Perkembangan terkini perang Iran-Israel
Mahkamah beri masa sebulan Yasin lantik peguam
Mahkamah Tinggi memberi masa sebulan kepada Yasin Sulaiman untuk melantik peguam bagi prosiding rayuan pihak pendakwaan terhadap pembebasannya.
AWANI Ringkas: Malaysia kecewa AS veto, halang PBB iktiraf Palestin
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
AWANI Ringkas: Perang Iran-Israel
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Buang beras, tepung di tapak pelupusan sampah, bekas MP tampil beri penjelasan
Tular satu rakaman yang memaparkan puluhan kampit beras, tepung dan sardin dibuang di tapak pelupusan sampah berdekatan laluan pintasan Rumpun Makmur, Kampung Gunung Senyum, Temerloh, Pahang.
RUU Antilompat Parti dapat kurangkan rasuah politik, kata Najib
RUU Antilompat Parti juga akan mengurangkan rasuah politik seperti tawaran jawatan atau wang ringgit.
Tajuddin dakwa Tok Mat belot untuk ganti Zahid
Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman mendedahkan terdapat perjumpaan antara pemimpin parti itu untuk menjatuhkan Zahid Hamidi.
Anwar perjelas mengapa lambat ulas isu permohonan tanah RM100 juta oleh Najib
Kata Anwar sebelum itu perkara berkenaan belum disahkan kepada pihaknya, malah belum diketahui secara jelas dan ada yang mengatakan ianya hanya khabar angin.
Najib sindir tindakan Xavier keluar PKR
Ia susulan peletakan jawatan Xavier sebagai Naib Presiden Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) dan pengumuman keluar parti itu berkuatkuasa serta-merta pada Sabtu.
Arul Kanda tegaskan versi bercanggah dalam laporan kewangan 1MDB dikeluarkan
Ali seterusnya berkata Arul Kanda membantah perkara yang diketengahkan dalam laporan audit 1MDB oleh Jabatan Audit Negara.
Pinjaman AS$6 bilion dimohon menerusi 1MDB, Aabar Investments - Saksi
Bekas pegawai khas kepada Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak memberitahu mahkamah bahawa pinjaman berjumlah AS$6 bilion akan dimohon menerusi usaha sama 1MDB dan Aabar.
Skandal Scorpene: Peguam penyiasat gesa kerjasama penuh Malaysia
Peguam warga Perancis, William Bourdon mahu kerjasama Malaysia-Perancis dipertingkat untuk rungkai skandal yang berlarutan lebih sepuluh tahun itu.
Nama Altantuya disebut dalam kontrak jualan Scorpene - Peguam
Apolline Cagnat mendakwa ia sedikit sebanyak memberi petunjuk bahawa penterjemah Mongolia itu mungkin terlibat dalam skandal pembelian kapal selam tersebut.
Najib, wawasan rakyat bukan bolot kekayaan untuk orang atasan - Anwar
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim menangkis kritikan bekas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yang menyifatkan kerajaan pimpinan Pakatan Harapan tiada visi jelas.
Pengurusan kes Najib di Mahkamah KL
Bekas Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak tiba di Mahkamah Tinggi Kuala Lumpur kira-kira jam 2:45 petang bagi bersidang untuk pengurusan kes bagi pertuduhan yang dikenakan terhadapnya.