IDA and MDA to be restructured in second half of 2016

The Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) announced on Monday (Jan 18) that the Info-communications Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) and Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) will be restructured to form two new organisations.

They will become the Info-communications Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) and the Government Technology Organisation (GTO).

This restructure follows the launch of the Infocomm Media 2025 plan - the first integrated industry development plan for the info-communications and media sectors - in August last year.

The plan recognises the importance of the digital economy in transforming many sectors in the economy, as well as the need to deliver government services through a more intensive use of IT.

MCI said that the new IMDA will implement the Infocomm Media 2025 plan by developing and regulating the converging infocomm and media sectors in a holistic way.

Data protection under the Personal Data Protection Commission will continue under the IMDA.

Meanwhile, the new GTO will lead digital transformation efforts in the public sector.

It will focus on providing and encouraging Singaporeans in using and co-creating public digital services, while continuing to ensure that the government infrastructure is resilient and secure.

The GTO will also develop new technology capabilities and help government agencies capitalise on the speed of innovation and new technology trends such as robotics, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and Big Data.

In addition, the new organisation will nurture ICT engineering talent who will play a vital role in supporting Singapore's Smart Nation vision.

MCI said that IDA and MDA will be administratively re-organised from April 1 for the launch of IMDA and GTO in the second half of 2016.

minlee@sph.com.sg