The Cyber Space and Information, Communication and Technology: A Tool for Westernization or Orientalism or Both

Abstract

Problem statement: The role of ICT and cyberspace and their existence have become prevalent popular phenomena to the extent that they are perceived to have the potential for transforming the world and launch it into a Digital era. The advent and advancement of ICT and cyberspace has also facilitated the globalization process and is used as an integrative tool, making the presence of the ‘global village’ evident. However, we as the end user of ICT has never thought about the advent of ICT and its history, its existence and the construction process of ICT. Approach: The Cyberspace and ICT was seen as dominated by the West as evidenced by factual documentations researched by the researcher. This situation has created gaps and imbalance of knowledge and skills between the West and the East. Results: Therefore, this paper examined the origins of both the terms cyberspace and ICT. By using qualitative approach, this study focused on the basic concept of cyberspace and the development of ICT, the military ascendancy and the western invention of cyberspace and ICT. The ICT application and experiences in the Malaysian administration establishments and academic institutions are contextual examples of the strategic applications of ICT. This study found three major factors that is used as a guide for the analysis of cyberspace and ICT. Paradoxically, sixty percent of the Malaysian experiences were based on their own strategies of development which did not indicate western dominance in these spheres. Implications from this study on the whole showed that the cyberspace and ICT were the products of westernization process towards the east. Conclusion/Recommendations: The findings of this research has great significance for future studies and towards the mapping of the pragmatic strategic needs of any one country, the possible modification of knowledge content and innovations of applications (software and hardware) that will implicate a lesser dominance of westernization.