KUALA LUMPUR, 6 July 2022 – Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri bin Yaakob today launched Malaysia Digital, the initiative to accelerate the growth of the nation’s digital economy for the benefit of Keluarga Malaysia.
Driven by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (K-KOMM) through Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysia’s lead digital economy agency, Malaysia Digital is a national strategic initiative by the Government to encourage and attract companies, talents and investment while enabling Malaysian businesses and the Rakyat to play a leading part in the global digital economy.
Malaysia Digital is the initiative to succeed MSC Malaysia, which has served to transform Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy since 1996. With a new and enhanced framework, the new initiative seeks to enhance the nation’s digital capabilities and boost the digital economy.
Malaysia Digital will allow Malaysia to better prepare for today’s ever-evolving landscape and build the bedrock of a digital nation, ultimately benefitting the Rakyat, businesses, Government, and nation.
To achieve this vision, the role of the industry is equally important for an impactful implementation of the Malaysia Digital initiative.
YB Tan Sri Datuk Seri Panglima TPr Annuar Haji Musa, Minister of Communications and Multimedia, said that Malaysia Digital is a testament to the continued efforts of K-KOMM and MDEC to spur Malaysia’s digital economy, in line with the Ministry’s vision to establish a society that is informed, creative, and digitally cultured.
“The digital transformation of the nation and the Rakyat will continue to be the priority of K-KOMM’s initiatives, as I believe that digital technology is no longer the vision of the future, but the reality of today. The launch of Malaysia Digital will serve as a stepping stone for the nation’s digital economy to achieve greater heights in the future,” adds Tan Sri Annuar.
“K-KOMM and MDEC will establish a dedicated platform for the industry to continuously participate and provide valuable feedback on Malaysia Digital, which will include private-sector representatives from relevant industry bodies and organisations as subject matter experts,” he further said.
Malaysia Digital is built to address three strategic priorities, which are to drive digital adoption among aspiring young entrepreneurs, companies and the rakyat; support local tech companies to become ‘Malaysian Champions’ and successful international players; and attract high-value digital investments.
To achieve these visions, the Government through MDEC will be introducing two initial Malaysia Digital Catalytic Programmes (PEMANGKIN), which are DE Rantau and Digital Trade.
DE Rantau is a programme to boost digital adoption and promote professional mobility as well as drive tourism across the country, with the goal to establish Malaysia as the preferred Digital Nomad Hub. Digital Trade, on the other hand, will drive interoperability and greater harmonisation of standards and regulatory approaches as well as to facilitate trade within and across borders.
Leading the execution of Malaysia Digital will be the Malaysia Digital Coordination Committee (MD-CC), which will serve to coordinate the governance and operations of Malaysia Digital, including awarding Malaysia Digital status to companies.
Mahadhir Aziz, CEO of MDEC, said that the agency will continue to drive and accelerate the sustainable growth of the nation’s digital economy with Malaysia Digital as the overarching initiative towards establishing Malaysia as the digital hub of ASEAN.
Malaysia Digital is bolstered by three key considerations – Flexibility, Agility, and Relevance – which will pave the way for the nation’s ongoing and future efforts as well as add more PEMANGKIN to meet the needs and demands of the future as we step into tomorrow’s digital frontier, today.
Also present at the launch of Malaysia Digital is YB Dato’ Sri Mustapa bin Mohamed, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department for Economy Affairs; YB Dato’ Sri Alexander Nanta Linggi, Minister of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs; YB Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin, Deputy Minister of Communications and Multimedia; YB Dato’ Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah, Deputy Minister of Finance I; Ybhg. Dato’ Sri Haji Mohammad bin Mentek, Secretary General of K-KOMM; Secretary Generals of the various Ministries; and the Heads of Departments and Agencies under K-KOMM.
