Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Tuesday that the country plans to create a national cloud policy and artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory framework.
“We aim to position Malaysia as a hub for generative AI and investments from tech partners will be critical in building a robust and secure digital infrastructure,” he said at a ground-breaking ceremony for Google’s new $2 billion data center and cloud region in the country.
According to him, the National Cloud Policy will focus on four core areas namely boosting public service innovation and efficiency, promoting economic competitiveness and growth, strengthening user trust and data security and empowering citizens through digital inclusivity.
He noted by leveraging cloud technology, Malaysia aims to modernize government operations, foster citizen engagement, and streamline the delivery of public services.
He also said Malaysia seeks to promote economic competitiveness and growth, fuel economic expansion by enabling businesses – especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and startups – to harness cloud technology for innovation, operational efficiency, and access to global markets.
He also said the government will establish robust security frameworks and protocols to protect sensitive data and critical infrastructure in both public and private cloud environments.
He also said the government’s approach will be citizen-centric and inclusive, utilizing cloud technology to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of digital-first public services.
In line with efforts to position Malaysia as a competitive player in the global AI landscape, he said the government is establishing the National Artificial Intelligence Office to coordinate all initiatives related to AI technology.
He also said in the next 12 months, the goverment aims to achieve several key outcomes, including to complete AI Technology Action Plan (2026 to 2030) and the establishment of a regulatory framework to increase adoption of ethical and sustainable AI technology.
“We will also expedite AI adoption in key sectors across Malaysia,
“By leveraging partnerships with industry leaders, and strengthening collaboration among all stakeholders, Malaysia can realise these goals and establish its role as a leading AI-driven nation in ASEAN,” he added.
To harness the full potential of technology for economic advancement, he opined that strategic policy interventions are essential.
He said the government has placed digital transformation at the heart of its economic roadmaps, such as the New Industrial Master Plan 2030.
Driving Malaysia towards AI leadership, he said Malaysian government launched the AI Talent Roadmap for Malaysia (2024-2030) and the Malaysia-Artificial Intelligence Consortium (MAIC) as a concrete pathway towards AI advancement.
He also noted the Ministry of Digital which was established in December 2023 has been tasked to spearhead Malaysia’s comprehensive digital transformation initiatives.
“Embracing technology will allow government agencies to optimize processes, lower costs, and serve the rakyat (Malaysians) better,” he said.
According to him, a notable example is the Ministry of Education’s creation of the DELIMa platform on Google’s cloud technology, so that teachers, educators, and students may benefit from a unified digital learning platform that is fast, secure and personalized.
He highlighted that 5.5 million students and teachers in Malaysia today use the DELIMa platform to transform their educational experience.
“This effort should be emulated by the whole Government machinery, where appropriate,” he said.
He said the government’s policies on attracting digital investments are clear, and by modernizing Malaysia through these technological advancements, they will not only enhance efficiency and effectiveness but also cultivate a culture of innovation and digital literacy that will permeate throughout society.
“From a regional perspective, as Malaysia assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship next year, Malaysia will position ourselves as a regional champion for digital policies that are forward-looking and transformative, to promote a regulatory environment that encourages technological advancement, and to nurture cross-border collaboration,” he said.
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