The findings indicate that the potential for government online sites remains high--though there is still work to be done in terms of reassuring users about Web security and the electronic government concept, says the research consultant's general manager for Malaysia, Siti Norbaya Manaf.
"Concerns about safety when providing the government with personal information such as credit card or bank account numbers are substantial.
"Some 57 percent of the total adult population in Malaysia said they felt unsafe using the Internet for these purposes," she said.
The study states: "Overall, if compared with the global results of similar surveys, 64 percent of respondents said they felt 'unsafe' using the Internet for these reasons. Among those countries with the highest concerns about security issues are Germany (85 percent), Japan (84 percent) and the US (72 percent)."
The Sun reported that these results clearly indicate that there is still a lot of work to be done from all parties concerned in the effort to educate the public on the usage of the Internet.
The study further added that more emphasis should be placed on security, which it cites as the main obstacle to the growth of e-government.
If the government can overcome the doubts of people concerning Web security, Siti said, then the Internet can offer the government and its agencies a golden opportunity to provide information direct to the public successfully.
"This could range from the provision of government services at national and local levels such as in the fields of healthcare, education, employment, participation in elections and census taking," she added.
The study also said about 9 percent of Malaysians have used the Web to print government forms and 7 percent to provide personal or household information to government organizations.
E-government usage is highest among the 25 to 34 age group globally, with males exhibiting a higher tendency to use government online services.
Of the 26 countries surveyed by Taylor Nelson Sofres, Norway, Denmark, Canada, Finland, US, Hong Kong and Australia have the highest percentage of e-government users.
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