JOHOR BAHRU, Johor Darul Takzim, 5 September 2019 –Asia Pacific Top Level Domain Association (APTLD) has assembled its members in their annual general meeting in Malaysia, in which MYNIC is the co-host. The meeting took place from 5-6 September 2019 in Jen Hotel, Puteri Harbour, Johor Bharu, Malaysia.

The APTLD meeting, which is held twice a year, will address a range of issues related to domain names in Asia as well as other developments related to domain names globally. The meeting will also discuss the impact and latest development in the sector such as the laws relating to cyberspace, privacy, top- level domains (TLDs) and protection of trade names. These meetings managed to attract around 100 participants from different ccTLD registries across the regions mainly from Asia Pacific countries. Amongst the participating countries were from Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Russia and China.

The meeting gathered a group of experts, specialists and stakeholders, who discussed and shared important issues related to Internet domain names in terms of policies, privacy, security and others. The meeting’s objective was to exchange information and skills related to Internet domain names, to serve as a platform for discussion on policy matters of domain names and as a bridge between Internet coordination bodies and other bodies involved in the Internet domain name operation. It is also a platform to understand the different issues and implementations done in various countries in promoting the adoption of domain names.

“It is also the platform of information exchange on technological and operational issues of Internet domain name registries in the region which fosters participation of the Asia Pacific Country Code Top Level Domain (ccTLDs) in the global forums, as well as acting in the best interest of APTLD members in the global Internet policy making process,” said Datuk Hasnul Fadhly Hasan, CEO of MYNIC.

Among the issues presented and discussed during the meeting were domain name registry, Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC), Premium Name Strategies for ccTLDs, Domain Name Security: New Age of Phishing, DNS security capabilities (DMARC, SPF, etc) Domain Abuse, Domain Names Dispute Resolution Practices, Technical: ENS implementation for ccTLDs: technical dimensions, challenges and solutions and New gTLD vs ccTLD vs Social Media.

Added Datuk Hasnul, “’We want to prepare the nation for a digital future and in order to make sure of that, we need to enable opportunities for digital innovation to drive the digital economy as a core economic pillar of the country. As one of the agencies identified under the Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII) in Malaysia, MYNIC plays an important role in working together with other ccTLDs the Asia Pacific region to ensure the development and protection of ccTLDs views and concerns are brought to the global stage. MYNIC takes an active role in APTLD as a contributing member and I am also seated as a BOD Members for APTLD.”

As Malaysia rapidly enter the 4th Industrial Revolution, there is an urgency for transformation for many things such as advanced infrastructure, legislation on data, and internet of things that will propel the nation towards a digital economy. Therefore, APTLD Meeting is an important forum to discuss the prospects for the future, which we hope will bring good results for the people locally and worldwide.

MYNIC also organised a Networking Dinner and a tour of Johor Bahru in order to forge stronger ties between its members as well as enjoying the culture and heritage of Malaysia. The dinner was held in DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor. The event was initiated by MYNIC and supported by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia Malaysia (KKMM) and Johor State Government. The nostalgic memories of P. Ramlee was chosen as the theme, as P. Ramlee was one of the most iconic artistes in Malaysia and his great contributions to entertainment industry in Malaysia. The fashion, songs and dialogue from his movies will always inspire people to produce highly creative products that could reach global attention.

APTLD-76 Welcome Dinner were attended by YB Tuan Sr. Dzulkefly Bin Ahmad, Chairman of the Housing, Communications and Multimedia Comittee Johor, YBhg. Datuk Hasnul Fadhly Hasan, CEO MYNIC, KKMM’s and Johor State officers.

MYNIC also planned a networking tour to explore the insightful beauty and serenity of Johor such as The Malay Culture Village, Johor Craft Complex, Tan Hiok Nee Street, Istana Bukit Serene and many more places to feel the uniqueness of Malaysian culture and tradition. The delegates had the opportunities to be involved with the traditional arts and crafts for instance Batik Painting Lessons, Teh Tarik and Roti Canai making.

MYNIC will continue to enable and empower businesses and industries to be part of the digital economy through the development of domain name industry as part of ICT infrastructure in Malaysia.

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