The results are in; South Korea is the country to look up to in e-governance, while Laos is the least effective.
A UN report was released, showing which countries are the most effective in using data governance. South Korea sits at the top with a rating of 3, while Laos languishes at the bottom with 162. Countries at the bottom include Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Pakistan. The survey measured effectiveness of the governments in terms of public service delivery.
Denmark and Australia, in contrast, ranked above South Korea, but that's the worldwide average. South Korea, according to Inquirer's Global Nation, scored such because they managed to deliver such services as "Gwanghwamun 1st street," an online platform for citizens to air their grievances, as well as the Cheong Wa Dae website where people can petition for reforms.
Those who ranked below South Korea include Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and Brunei-all progressive Asian countries in their own right. China, Thailand, and the Philippines made it to the middle of the pack.
Nation Multimedia reports further on what the measurements are. Most of the public know to use utility payment, registration of new businesses, and submission of income taxes online. These make it easier for them to complete their obligation to the government and complete their annual taxes as well.
Other services included the availability of the government services through email, some updates via feeds, mobile apps like traffic management and SMS that alerted the public to weather disturbances.
Singapore, Japan, Brunei, and Thailand have ranked high because of data usage. In the case of Singapore, the environmental data they transmit through their government websites ranked them high. This is only one of the many e-governance initiatives they have made available to the public.
In this age of the Web, people will task their governments to use their web services properly. South Korea seems to be on track, but Asia-as a whole-appears ready for the next age.
