PULAU PINANG: Malaysia Digital (MD) that was launched in July 2022 had played a central role in transforming the country’s digital economy ecosystem, driving more impactful programmes for Malaysian Family and had achieved RM42 billion in Foreign Direct Digital Investments (FDI) in mere two months.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said, this revenue was generated through the investments of 28 foreign companies from various sectors, namely Data Centres, IT Service Providers, Creative Content Technology, and Global Business Services or GBS.
Ismail added, this achievement is crucial towards the nation’s economic recovery, as it creates high skilled job opportunities, encourage innovation, and further elevates the digital economy.
“Simultaneously, the development of Domestic Direct Digital Investment (DDI) as of 24th August 2022 has hit RM4.76 billion. Through this effort, 6,000 high value jobs have been created. These job opportunities are expected to continuously increase in the future.
“These positive achievements have placed Malaysia in the best position to achieve the digital investment target of up to RM70 billion by 2025, in line with the Malaysian Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL),” Ismail said.
The Prime Minister said that in his speech in conjunction with the opening ceremony of World Congress on Innovation and Technology (WC IT) 2022 at Setia Spice Convention Centre here today (Tuesday).
“Playing as host to WCIT 2022 with the theme “Connecting and Transforming the World – a reality” it showcases Malaysia’s capabilities as a competitive digital nation. This effort ensures that Malaysia is not left behind in the technology and innovation ecosystem.
“Through digital literacy, this effort will increase awareness on the importance of technology adoption and innovation among Malaysians, in line with current developments that are happening around the world. Malaysia has played an important role as a digital investment hub in ASEAN,” Ismail said.
The Prime Minister emphasized that with its world-class infrastructure, holistic and comprehensive digital ecosystem and highly skilled digital talents, Malaysia today has the makings of being a prime digital investment destination in ASEAN.
“Digitalisation is the latest initiative used in various aspects of societal life today, and we can observe emerging key digital trends and challenges: Firstly digital adoption ensures productivity and business continuity, as observed from the implications of COVID-19. This is proven when small businesses, all the way up to high-value companies, adopted digital applications to enhance their businesses.
Ismail said, secondly the need to empower the use of digital technology in addressing the issue of food and energy security. As an example, digital agriculture technology has the capability to reduce reliance on labour, it is more environmentally friendly, and helps increase productivity. It also ensures a sustainable global food supply chain.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has become the main driver in the field of digital healthcare. This is evident that the use of digital healthcare solutions is not only capable in helping reduce the spread of COVID-19, but also increases awareness on other ailments and diseases and their risks, including mental health,” Ismail said.
According to the Prime Minister the government has designed a digital ecosystem through the MyDIGITAL initiative that encompasses the Digital Economy Blueprint and the National Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy.
These policies Ismail said are set to equip Malaysian Family with the relevant knowledge and digital skills. It will shape a connected nation through the development of digital infrastructure; the implementation of regulation in accordance with the needs of the time and is flexible with changes of technology while accelerating innovation.
The MyDIGITAL initiative is also aligned to Malaysia’s nation building goals, especially the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (RMK12), in transforming Malaysia into a high-income nation driven by digitalisation, in addition to being a regional leader in the digital economy. –Malaysia World News
