Almost seven (or 67 per cent) in every 10 of the nearly 1,500 respondents said that the risks associated with access to sensitive personal details by non-authorised persons and cyber crimes may affect their willingness to use e-government services in Brunei.
Only 11 per cent of the survey sample said poor security was not a factor that worries them from utilising e-government services.
The results of the nationwide survey, which was launched in December, were released yesterday during the prize presentation ceremony to three lucky respondents.
More than half or 53 per cent of respondents said that not knowing how to use the e-government services is another barrier that prevents them from using the services.
Nearly half or 46 per cent of respondents said they were uncertain whether traditional methods were more efficient or effective.
Other key concerns that were raised include slow and unreliable Internet connectivity, a one-stop portal for all e-government websites, outdated and inaccurate information, as well as lack of training of staff and customers.
More than half or 54 per cent or survey respondents selected applying for government housing as one of the services that needed the most attention out of the 21 e-government services listed.
Making appointments with doctors and specialists also scored high, with 41 per cent of survey participants responding that it was one of the top five services that needed attention.
Based on the results of the survey, Acting Director of E-Government National Centre Fib Mariah Hj Taha said the e-government system would be popular among the population.
In an interview with The Brunei Times, Hjh Mariah said that e-government was about a transformation from the conventional ways of making applications and dealing with the government, to an easier and faster way which would involve information technology (IT) and the Internet. "There's a misconception that this is all about buying computers," she said. "It's not about hardware or software but a change in the way we do things. We are using IT to enable and improve the responses of the government to the people."
Over half of the qualified responses were submitted online.
Also taking into consideration that 64 per cent of the respondents said they spend more that five hours a week on the Internet, Hjh Mariah said that it indicated that most users would choose to submit applications online from their homes or workplace.
However, she said that more public awareness was needed about the services available online and also to put to rest concerns they may have about security.
"We need to tell people what services are available and the security features we have put in place so they will be more accepting of the system," she said.
"Of course security is our first priority and there are initiatives already in place. Once the online applications come out, this will be applied to them.
Respondents also expressed the need to provide an online payment gateway in the form of debit and credit cards.
Hjh Mariah said that the issue of the payment gateway was under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance but it was in the pipeline.
She said they were looking at existing structures which they could use, such as being able to pay utility bills via ATMs at banks.
The survey was open to all citizens and residents of Brunei to voice their opinions on e-government initiatives and improve existing services.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Zareena Amiruddin
Quelle/Source: Bru Direct, 05.05.2010
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