KUALA LUMPUR, November 7 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the need for an inclusive digital economy in Malaysia and urged policymakers to address economic inequality to make it a key government goal. Speaking at this year’s Malaysian Digital Exposition, Anwar expressed concerns that the pursuit of a digital economy could inadvertently exclude the poor if traditional approaches to economic development persist. He stressed the importance of inclusivity, bridging the urban-rural divide, and supporting the urban poor in the country’s digitalization efforts.
Anwar pointed out that every time development accelerates, there is a risk of exacerbating inequality, and he called for a paradigm shift to create a more inclusive digital landscape. The Malaysian government has made significant investments in digital infrastructure and technologies to boost income opportunities, particularly for the less privileged. The South-east Asian digital economy is estimated to be worth around half a trillion ringgit this year, and the government aims to grow the digital market to 25% of GDP by 2025, making it a pillar sector for Malaysia’s high-income status ambitions.
This move is aligned with the global trend of increasing reliance on digital services and technology, which encompass various sectors, including e-commerce, online education, streaming, and e-health. Malaysia’s digital economy accounts for almost a fifth of its GDP, and investment in the local digital market has surged, reaching RM24 billion between January and June this year, up from RM7.5 billion during the same period last year. Anwar’s administration is keen to ensure that all segments of society, especially the urban-rural poor, have the opportunity to participate and benefit from the country’s digital transformation.
