MCI to be renamed Ministry of Digital Development and Information

From July 8, the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) will be known as the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).

- Zhaki Abdullah

Announcing the name change on May 13, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement: "The new name reflects the ministry's role in driving our national digital agenda.

"The ministry will also continue to oversee information policy and strategy, media development, and public communications efforts." During a press briefing on May 13 to announce his new Cabinet lineup, Deputy Prime Minister and Prime Minister-designate Lawrence Wong said the change is not just a renaming exercise, but also marks a significant change in mindset orientation.

Specifically, the change is meant to give a strong signal and push on Singapore's digitalisation efforts, he added.

"Digital technologies will be a big enabler for us to transform our economy, and also to improve our lives, for everyone in society," said DPM Wong.

Singapore's national digitalisation strategies include artificial intelligence and many other technologies that cut across sectors and agencies.

"So rather than do it separately, we thought it was better administratively to bring these efforts together as part of a coherent national digital strategy," he said.