Malaysia Launches Digital Action Plan to Boost AI Development

Malaysia has launched Malaysia Digital 2030 (MD2030), an action plan with ambitious targets to boost the digital economy’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) to 30 percent and create 500,000 high-value jobs by 2030. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched the blueprint on Monday, positioning the Ministry of Digital as the primary agency responsible for driving Malaysia’s transition into an artificial intelligence (AI)-based nation by 2030. In a statement, the Ministry of Digital said the plan aims to generate public sector savings of 4.5 billion ringgit through government digitalisation, while ensuring that 95 percent of government services are delivered fully online. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said MD2030 marks a shift in Malaysia’s development strategy, from being a technology consumer to a producer of domestic digital innovation. The roadmap will be implemented through seven strategic pillars encompassing governance, economy, infrastructure, talent, society, trust and security, and innovation.