KUALA LUMPUR, February 18 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced plans to establish an additional 186 Digital Economic Centres (PEDi) across Malaysia, aiming to reach a total of 1,097 centres nationwide by the year’s end. Emphasizing the significance of digital transformation in advancing the Madani Economic Framework’s vision, Anwar underscored the government’s commitment to bridging the digital and income gaps, particularly in underserved areas.
Currently, there are 911 PEDi nationwide, with the proposed expansion targeting regions often overlooked in digital development initiatives. Anwar stressed the importance of rapidly acquiring skills in emerging fields to prevent societal lag behind the fast-paced changes. He expressed confidence in the people’s ability to leverage these resources to foster self-reliance and societal progress, as outlined in a Facebook post today. At the Penang Entrepreneurs Connectivity and Development Empowerment Carnival, Anwar highlighted the allocation of RM47 million to establish 38 new PEDi in Penang, bringing the total in the state to 41 centres.
He commended the efforts of those involved in making PEDi successful, particularly in rural and remote areas, for providing essential exposure and benefits to surrounding communities. Among the attendees were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa, and Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) executive chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din.
