By: Nor Hajar Aswat Kamis

GEORGETOWN, November 1 2023 – Penang National Anti-Drugs Agency (NADA) took third place in the Penang State Government Secretary’s Office’s #AktifGISPgGov Competition.

This is the third victory won using the iREFER System; a system that employs geospatial technology (GIS).

The result was announced during the Digital Government Seminar (SKD) 2023 last October 26, 2023, at The Wembley – A St Giles Hotel, Penang.

The award was presented by the Penang Secretary of State, YB. Dato’ Haji Rosli Bin Isa.

Penang NADA, represented by iRefer System Project Leader Zulfadli Akmal Ahmad Zakaria was present to accept the award.

Meanwhile, the Penang City Council took first place in the same category, while the Penang State Islamic Religious Council took second.

The #AktifGISPgGov honours departments or agencies that are actively utilising geospatial technology (GIS), whether as users, data providers, or GIS service providers.

The iREFER system. Photo by NADA | Nor Hajar Aswat Kamis

The iREFER system that was developed is a digital profiling system for drug addiction and high-risk areas (HRA) in the State of Penang that makes use of the PEGIS map browser.

(SKD) Year 2023 with the theme “Digital Government: Exploring the Potential of New Technologies” is an annual programme that began in 2014 with the goal of providing exposure and sharing knowledge, ideas, and experience to improve the government service delivery system through the implementation of Digital Government.

The seminar also hopes to strengthen and improve ICT Security implementation strategies by optimally utilising the latest technology capabilities.

SKD 2023 is the State Government’s effort to nurture an ICT culture among government employees who are knowledgeable and can optimize the use of digital technology in public service system delivery.