Development of Malaysian Geographic Information Standard

Standardization of geographic information is crucial in sharing of geospatial data and thus MyGDI Standard is developed with the purpose to overcome the differences in data format, methods, frequency of updating and standards used in geospatial data preparation that directly affect the quality of data and the semantic.

Activities in the development of Malaysia Geographic Information Standard include formulation and implementation of standards for names and codes, metadata and preparation of guidelines for quality assurance. MyGDI Standard Technical Committee undertakes the coordination of codes and names of land administrative boundaries to standardize the names and codes, which is also known as Unique Parcel Identifier (UPI).  

To facilitate data sharing, the Malaysian standard for geographic information/geomatics has been formulated and implemented.  Documented as Standard for Geographic Information/Geomatics MS1759, the information specifies the codes and description for geospatial features and attributes.  This document supersedes the previous Malaysian Standard Code of Practice for the Exchange of Digital Feature Code Mapping Data (MS1074).

A fundamental requirement in data sharing, MyGDI initiative includes standardization of metadata, known as MyGDI Metadata.  The development of metadata is based on ISO/TC211.  Updating of MyGDI Metadata is adapted according to SIRIM guideline and ISO 19115, which activity has started in February 2006.  Monitoring of the compliance by the data producing agencies is continuously undertaken by MaCGDI. 

Guideline for geospatial data quality assurance that is prepared, furthermore, cover 5 elements of accuracy; namely, positional, completeness, logical consistency, temporal and thematic.