Abdullah Launches New Anticyber Terrorism Centre 
Bernama - 6 May 2006 

AUSTIN, Texas - Malaysia will host the world's first public-private sector centre against cyber-terrorism, to be called "International Multilateral Partnership Against Cyber-Terrorism" or "Impact", Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said here Friday. 

Malaysia hoped to create a pioneer platform to allow governments of the world to exchange notes and ideas, as well as to facilitate the sharing of skills and best practices, with the ultimate objective of combating these constantly evolving threats, the Malaysian Prime Minister said in his keynote address at the closing of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2006. 

He emphasised that Impact was not just a Malaysian concern, but was conceived as a partnership between governments as well as between governments of the world and the international private sector. The world's leading names such as America's Symantec Corporation, Japan's Trend Micro, and Russia's Kapersky Lab have agreed to be key partners and to serve on Impact's International Advisory Board to be established soon. 

"We expect more of such world-class companies to follow suit," Abdullah said. 

To begin with, Impact will focus its activities in three key areas: training and skills development; security certification and R&D; and a global emergency response centre. 

Impact will be sited in Cyberjaya, Malaysia -- at the heart of MSC Malaysia, with access to world-class ICT infrastructure. 

"I am confident that Impact, with the cooperation of governments and the global private sector, will be able to find effective solutions to the global threat of cyber terrorism," he said, calling on all governments and the global private sector to partner with Malaysia in this worthy cause. The Prime Minister later witnessed the handing over of the WCIT crystal to CEO of MDEC, Badlisham Ghazali, to mark Malaysia's role as the next host in 2008. 

"Malaysia is honoured and excited about hosting the next WCIT in 2008," Abdullah said and he saw this as an opportunity to stimulate further discussion on technology and technology-related policy development. This is the first time that the WCIT will be held in Southeast Asia, and in a developing country. Abdullah later visited the Dell headquarters in Round Rock. He leaves for Kuala Lumpur Friday. 

Source: www.bernama.com