On Friday 30 September Singapore officially launched the new Info-communications Media Development Authority (IMDA), the body that replaces the Info-communications Development Authority (IDA) and Media Development Authority (MDA), as the government seeks to adapt its regulatory structure to better address the rapidly-changing and increasingly converged telecoms and media sectors. At the launch event, Minister for Communications and Information Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim said: ‘IMDA’s mission is to lead Singapore forward into a digital future, where infocomm media convergence and technological change will change the way we live, work and play … [the new board] will achieve its mission by focusing on three broad strategies. Firstly, by developing a strong ICM sector to power and transform the economy; secondly, by building an environment of trust; and third, by ensuring that every Singaporean benefits from convergence and technological progress.’
Soon after, the minister also confirmed that amendments to the Telecommunications Act will be tabled in parliament ‘very soon’, although he stopped short of detailing the nature of the amendments involved.