Rumble in Kuala Lumpur!

Man! I just missed the event of the week! Last weekend, I heard that PIKOM was going to hold a 'debate' between OOXML pushers vs OOXML detractors on what position PIKOM should take in the Malaysian vote. I was invited initially because I was the 'lucky' one to go to the BRM. Unfortunately the rules started changing in between, and on Monday, we were told that the master debaters were restricted to members of PIKOM.

Hey, PIKOM is free to change the rules and after all, it's their computer association, and I by right have no say in how they run things!

So I wrote it off, thinking that I'd get to hear whatever they have to contribute in the next Technical Committee meeting anyway. Plus, TC4 is the proper forum where the issues should be raised and dealt with. I proceeded to make plans with the family for a pre-holiday night.

Little did I know, the PIKOM debate just now, was a blast: a mini TechEd of sorts happened! I don't know the details, because I'm just hearing this from second hand sources, and I do hope that someone from the meeting will blog about this. Here's what I gathered:

Right here in little ol' KL, Microsoft flew in OOXML experts from around the world! Doug Mahugh, the OOXML evangelist turned up from USA, Oliver Bell based in Singapore was shuttled in, Mr Ex-Ecma, Jan van den Beld also conveniently happen to be in the vicinity, 7 timezones away. Also attending was a Senior Microsoftie who supposedly stomped around alot, and the customary Microsoft Malaysia hanger on. The entire pro-OOXML delegation were Microsoft employees!

On the other side to balance out the OOXML debate, representing the industry, were employees of Oracle, Google, IBM, and two local ISVs!

Now PIKOM is the "Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia" which is supposed to represent the local Computer Industry's interests in the Malaysian ecosystem. Their membership is vast and varied, ranging from large MNCs down to small computer resellers and ISVs. They are mainly famous for their PIKOM "PC Fair" which is a pretty darn large "Cash-and-Carry" electronics fest, which I love going to.

Other than that, PIKOM is also represented in both TC4 and ISC-G in SIRIM, the Malaysian Standards body.  Their varied member companies and exposure to Malaysia's ICT economy means that their opinion has significant value in our discussions. In all the decisions on OOXML in the past year, they voted against the fast tracking of DIS 29500 (OOXML), as they correctly based their decision on the technical evidence presented at the TCs.

Tonight however, was a different story. Microsoft brought in 5 Microsoft employees to back the pro-Microsoft's single vendor "Faster Track" format (OOXML). The "Hey, Not So Fast" Standards side however brought in a mix of ICT competitors which themselves, compete on many levels and yet are united on this matter. Additionally they represent a larger chunk of the ICT sector in Malaysia.

I don't know what took place in the meeting, because I wasn't there, but it seems Microsoft certainly pushed hard to justify the case for OOXML and why Malaysia should change its vote from "Abstain" to "Approve". I don't think the 'other side' needed to do much; the evidence is right in front of everyone's eyes. If PIKOM represents the industry view, and Microsoft is just a mere member in its roster, then the consensus is blatantly clear.

PIKOM, I hope you do the right thing, because at the moment it looks like this:

So you'd better weigh your decision carefully, and allow the scale to tip accordingly.

yk.