New STRAITS TIMES, THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2010

Advertorial

PAGE Y15

n By Zulita Mustafa
KUALA LUMPUR: Register for the Rakan mySMS made available by the Malaysian Administrative Modernisation and Management Planning Unit (Mampu) and enjoy value-added services. This is the latest offer by the agency as it strives to get one million Rakan mySMS subscribers by year end. Mampu deputy director-general (ICT) Dato Dr Nor Aliah Mohd Zahri says the registration fees for the first one million subscribers will be waived. mySMS is a public service delivery system that uses short messaging service as an alternative delivery channel to access government services. Through a single short code number - 15888 - services provided by all government agencies can be accessed easily and directly by anybody, anywhere and anytime using any type or brand of mobile phone. As of last March 25, Nor Aliah says 74,724 have registered for Rakan mySMS. One can register by typing REG MYSMS [Full Name] [IC Number] and SMS to 15888. Each registered user will receive value-added services such as an SMS blast from mySMS, which will be supervised by Mampu. "You also get to personalise and update your information through mySMS portal, www.mysms.gov. my," adds Nor Aliah. With just a touch of a button, the public can access to a single SMS number to make enquiries for a host of services, such as checking the status of MyKad applications. The above process is simple. Just type JPN MYKAD [IC Number] and send to 15888. Replies such

SMS 15888 for faster info and services

as "still in progress" or "ready to be picked up" will be delivered via SMS. "If you are among the first one million registered users of Rakan mySMS, you will not be charged when you received a blast or information from mySMS," says Nor Aliah. And, you could be spending less time at government counters, too. It is hassle free, no face-toface interaction between the government agencies and public, and it is reachable to all segments of the society. Nor Aliah says mySMS is an initiative by the government to establish a platform for agencies to provide their services through SMS. Every Malaysian, regardless of age, IT-literacy level and location, should get acquainted with the 15888 number, for easy and speedier access to government services at a negligible cost, she says. The initiative is in line with the public delivery system principle of 1Nation, 1Government, 1Number. Since its implementation on July 31, 2008, the response has been very encouraging. Until last March 25, mySMS is participated by 139 government agencies, comprising the federal and state governments, local authorities and semi-government

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in a discussion with (from left) MAMPU director-general Dato Normah Md Yusof, Management Development Division (EG) deputy director Norhalina Abdul and deputy director-general (ICT) Dato Dr Nor Aliah Mohd Zahri after registering as Rakan mySMS user at the launch of MyID Initiative and Conference of Heads of Public Sector Agencies at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC) recently.
with 1,666 SMS services being offered. Among the high impact services are the announcement of Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia results (Education Ministry), status review of identity card application (National Registration Department) and status review of the NS programme (National Service Training Department) as well as innovative services such as pharmacy drug intake via Pharmacy SMS Take N Go by Putrajaya Hospital. Nor Aliah says mySMS community is also available on Facebook as a platform for the public to obtain information and pose questions about the services being offered. mySMS has received several recognition in 2009, both locally and internationally. Among them were the Malaysia MSC APICTA Awards 2009 (Best of e-Government and Services); Malaysia Innovation Awards 2009 (Public Services Empowerment Through Mobility Innovation); and APICTA Awards 2009 (e-Government) in Melbourne, Australia.

Testimonials mySMS

I am very satisfied with the government SMS service as it makes it easier for the public to get information from various agencies. The service should be extended further. Mohd Fadzly Mohd Nawawi, 20, Negri Sembilan A very useful initiative, just need to promote to all citizens especially people from small towns or rural areas. Well done! mad4419@yahoo.com Its amazing. Congratulations to mySMS 15888. It is very informative and useful for the public. Hope the services will be improved continuously. Nazri Salleh, 48, Perak As a Civil Defence Department volunteer, I am very satisfied with mySMS service. I received notification about my allowance payment very fast and can disseminate the information to others immediately. Thanks to the government for the service which helps ease the burden. Khuraisah Kamal, 24, Pahang

RAKAN mySMS
How to register Type REG MYSMS [Full Name] [IC Number] & SMS to 15888 Registration notification
MS: RM0.20 MYS no: Membership AA10013 88 Pin No: 7BD8 s.gov.my www.mysm S MENU Type MYSM 15888 and send to

REG MYSMS ALI BIN ABU 63 7002251432

SMS TO 15888

Komuniti mySMS @ Facebook

* SMS sent for registration is charged RM0.15/SMS registration notification received is charged RM0.20 Note: No charge for the first one million Rakan mySMS registration notification received.