KUALA LUMPUR, July 5 – The Malaysia Digital (MD) initiative, which will succeed the 25 years old Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC Malaysia), aims to enhance the country’s digital capabilities and boost the national digital economy which launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob on Monday (July 4). The initiative seeks to better prepare the country for the ever-evolving landscape and build the bedrock of a digital nation, which will ultimately benefit the rakyat, businesses, government and the nation.
Ismail Sabri said MD would drive more high-impact programmes, which will result in direct benefits to the Malaysian Family. The country has to develop more talents and competitive digital workforce, infrastructure and ensure that the country’s capacity and capability remains in line with world standards,” he said in his keynote address at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre here.
This is important to ensure that the future generation has the fundamentals and facilities needed to continue to drive the country to become a developed digital country,” he added. Ismail Sabri said the Cabinet had also agreed for the Communications and Multimedia Ministry to establish the Malaysia Digital Coordination Committee (MD-CC), which will coordinate the governance and operations of Malaysia Digital, including awarding MD status to companies.
To boost the country’s digital economy, a new initiative framework known as Malaysia Digital or MD has been developed based on three main principles, namely Flexibility, Agility and Relevance. MD through the MD catalyst project or PEMANGKIN will function holistically in transforming the country’s digital economic ecosystem through three strategic priorities, namely:
- First, Help drive digital adaptation among young entrepreneurs, companies and citizens;
- Second, Supporting local technology companies to become ‘Malaysian Champions–’ successful internationally; and
- Third, Attract high value investments.
I am confident that through these priorities, MD will drive more high -impact programs and give a direct and immediate impact, especially to Malaysian Families said Prime Minister Ismail Sabri. He also urged MDEC to create a dedicated platform for industry players to participate continuously and give valuable feedback during MD’s implementation.
I am confident that through the collaboration and consensus among the various parties, the MD initiative will be able to be implemented successfully, and the government will give its full attention to enable MD’s smooth implementation,” he said.
At the same function, the prime minister announced that the government had awarded MD status to the first batch of six companies, namely Bytedance System Sdn Bhd, Bridge Data Centres Malaysia (III) Sdn Bhd, GDS IDC Services (M) Sdn Bhd, Abbott Laboratories (M) Sdn Bhd, Aceteam Connect Sdn Bhd and Peninsula Apex Technologies Sdn Bhd.
