The UN's most recent Global E-Readiness Report, which is themed 'From e-Government to e-Inclusion', showed that Brunei's e-government readiness ranking dropped 10 places from 63rd in 2004, to 73rd in 2005.
The e-readiness index is defined by the UN as a composite measurement of the capacity and willingness of countries to use e-government for ICT-centric development. The United States of America was ranked first in the world in the same study, and South Korea led South and Eastern Asia by maintaining its place of fifth from 2004 to 2005, followed by Singapore, Japan, Philippines and Malaysia.
The report also observed a strong correlation between the availability of e-government technologies and per capita income. This was because the lack of resources was found to directly inhibit e-government initiatives in most nations. Countries which scored higher on the e-readiness factor had developed economies and robust infrastructure.
Statistics published by the United Nations Online Network in Public Administration and Finance (UNPAN) state that there were 385 computers to every thousand Bruneians in 2000. In the same year, the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) and the International Telecommunication Union identified 82.5per cent of Bruneians as users of Internet services.
An informal poll conducted by The Brunei Times, however, suggested that the term 'e-government' might still not be a definite resident in local vocabulary.
Out of the 13 adults surveyed, seven were unable to respond and of the rest only three supplied an answer which reflected the Bruneian government's visions for e-governance. One respondent also wrote that he hoped the e-government initiative would lead to 'ministries being open to the public, and information made freely available via the Internet'.
All of the incorrect replies could be summed up as 'Internet/telecommunication usage in the government sector'.
This follows opinions expressed by senior representatives from leading IT solutions provider CA last month that Bruneian government websites should be updated regularly to strengthen its online presence, and to market the idea of having a more accessible civil service to its citizens.
Definitions of e-government are known to vary from country to country, but common objectives include increasing government accessibility, providing public services over the Internet, and laying a foundation for a more effective governance structure through facilitating communication.
Autor(en)/Author(s): Fei Phoon
Quelle/Source: The Brunei Times, 15.02.2007
