Malaysia’s potential to lead in SEA’s digital economy
Google’s recent investment highlights Malaysia’s potential to be South East Asia’s digital economy hub, said Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Aziz.
He also said that it is a testament to Malaysia’s competitiveness and emerging role as a regional hub for digital innovation and business ease.
“This is particularly pertinent as Malaysia intends to strongly promote the digital economy regionally when we take up the Asean chairmanship next year.
“Google’s presence will not only create thousands of high-skilled jobs but also accelerate the digital transformation of our businesses and public sector, strengthening our tech leadership and supporting Malaysia’s positioning as a tech hub in Southeast Asia,” he said at the Google Cloud Malaysia Day event here.
Tengku Zafrul said the investment lays a robust foundation for Malaysia to leverage cloud technology, fostering business innovation and unlocking new opportunities, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity.
He added that digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) are crucial in shaping a sustainable and inclusive socio-economic future.
He stated that the Madani government acknowledges the transformative potential of digitalization, cloud computing, and AI, positioning them as essential drivers in Malaysia’s economic strategies, including the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
“We understand that investing in cloud infrastructure and fostering a digital-first mindset are essential for creating a sustainable and prosperous future for our nation,” he said, reported FMT.
Tengku Zafrul highlighted the evident benefits of cloud technologies on the Malaysian economy, noting their role in enhancing productivity and generating high-skilled employment.
He noted that Malaysia had experienced increased efficiency and innovation, with industries utilizing cloud-based solutions to streamline operations, automate tasks, and extract valuable insights from data.
He highlighted that the manufacturing sector, in particular, has adopted cloud-enabled technologies to optimize supply chains, monitor equipment performance, and enhance production efficiency.
“The healthcare industry has also seen significant benefits, with hospitals leveraging cloud technology to improve patient care, manage electronic medical records and facilitate telemedicine services.
“These advancements not only drive productivity by leveraging data-driven insights but also create demand for high-skilled professionals in areas like data analytics, software development and cloud architecture,” he said.