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Malaysia's 2020 vision is on track, but it will require considerable will to keep it there, according to government sources. The vision is an ambitious plan to turn Malaysia into a first world country before 2020.

A presentation to the Map Asia Conference in August by Ms Puan Noriyah binti Ahmad was devoted to plans to 'move the economy up the value chain'. She is the deputy director general of the economic planning unit in the Malaysian Prime Minister's Department.

The objective is to improve the material standard of living for the people, while at the same time, improving sustainability and equality.

In the longer term, this involves creating a knowledge economy. It implies an emphasis on education and training and the large scale application of IT.

While the speech was long on generalities and short on specifics, it gave some insight into economic thinking in the Malaysian establishment. In most countries, it is easy to find GIS professionals who understand that the root of economic development is sound land policy. But it is not necessarily well understood by accountants and economists, or by other IT professionals.

However, in Malaysia, it appears that there is a clear understanding that the proper application of GIS is a key development issue.

During her speech, Ahmad mentioned at least two projects that now have serious funding -- a RM250 million planning system for new property development and an RM 298.5 million project to upgrade the cadastre.

She said a number of issues are slowing the speed at which these projects can be developed. She cited money constraints, and the indifference of bureaucrats, but just as important is a lack of skilled manpower. This problem needs to be addressed, she said.

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