Malaysia will continue to support regional digital development and AI
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia, as the chairman of ASEAN 2025, will continue to support the development of digitalisation and artificial intelligence in the region, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said Malaysia, together with ASEAN, should be more competitive in the digital hub sector, with Malaysia having gained a competitive reputation through political stability and clarity in its policies.
'The thrust of our ASEAN chairmanship has been for energy transition, and we have been quite successful with Vietnam and Singapore on this power grid. But the focus, the thrust of our chairmanship, has been digital transformation
'And this will lead to what we will be addressing this weekend when we meet ASEAN leaders, then together, with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and also China,' he said in his speech at the MaiStorage Technology official launch here today.
Also present was Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook and MaiStorage founder and group chief executive officer Datuk Pua Khein Seng.
Anwar said the role played by government agencies such as MITI, TalentCorp, and the Selangor state government in supporting MaiStorage has brought success not only to the company but also to the country.
'I remember we (he and Pua) met early last year and in August (last year), decided to enter, and in October operations started, and today we see the results, including its profits. To ensure greater progress, there are several challenging sectors we must explore, and we are fortunate because a local talent (Pua) has already ventured around the world and built a globally successful industry, the Phison Group,' he added.
MaiStorage, which is part of the Phison Group - a supplier of NAND flash controllers and storage solutions co-founded by Pua - is a technology provider specializing in integrated circuit (IC) design and storage, focusing on data centres, AI applications, and the automotive industry in Malaysia.
In addition, Anwar emphasised the importance of effective policy implementation and good governance to ensure sustainable outcomes. 'Our biggest challenge is effective implementation. That's why my team and I focus early on governance issues. With discipline, clear policies, and a transparent, corruption-free execution, we can make Malaysia a premier destination for investment in AI and digital fields,' he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Taxes should prioritise people's overall well-being
TAXES are never popular. So, it's not surprising that the recent expansion of the sales and service tax (SST) has ignited concern across Malaysia. On June 9, the government announced a targeted review of the SST rate, which would take effect from July 1. The tax rate would remain the same for essential goods, while a rate of 5% or 10% will be imposed on non-essential or discretionary goods. It was presented as a measure targeting luxury items. But the problem is, one person's luxury might be another's staple. Going by the updated list of what's taxable, the SST could have a broader impact than most thought, raising concerns about an escalation in the cost of living for everyday Malaysians. The government has previously indicated it is open to reviewing policies, especially when a lot of people raise concerns – and with the number of people worried about this tax, it would do well to make sure to review it and ensure it does not inadvertently place an undue burden on those who can least afford it. The expanded SST encompasses a diverse range of necessities and services, not only premium goods, such as salmon and avocados. It includes wedding rentals and catering, as well as traditional medicine, postnatal massages, elderly care and beauty treatments – services often seen as fundamental life events or crucial support rather than mere indulgences. Adding to the apprehension, the expansion removes tax exemptions on some basic food items. Items like mangoes, apples, oranges, dates, sauces, spices, canned fruits and instant food, which were previously exempt, will now incur a 5% tax. This change is expected to increase food prices in markets, restaurants and homes alike. The number of taxable items has increased from fewer than 1,000 to over 4,000 sub-codes, while the list of exempt items has been cut by 70%. So the new tax will obviously have a wide-ranging impact on people's daily lives. The announcement on Thursday by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that the government will review the implementation of the SST on selected imported goods, including common fruits such as apples and mandarin oranges, is a highly welcome development. The government's willingness to re-examine the policy is a positive step towards ensuring that taxation genuinely serves its purpose without disproportionately affecting the vulnerable segments of society. Taxes are unavoidable in modern civilisation and no country can function without them. And, Malaysia certainly cannot continue to live with increasing budget deficits every year. But the government must balance between increasing revenue collection and making sure the people don't suffer unnecessarily.
The Sun
13 hours ago
- The Sun
WEF ASEAN 2025 highlights regional resolution on women's empowerment
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025 concluded today after three impactful days of dialogue, culminating in the announcement of 27 comprehensive resolutions designed to accelerate women's leadership and inclusive economic growth across the ASEAN region and beyond. ASEAN WEF 2025 president Dr Hartini Osman said the resolutions represent a bold, actionable roadmap for ASEAN nations to empower women through targeted leadership, education, innovation and policy integration. 'The outcomes of this forum are crucial in realising the aspirations of women across ASEAN and globally to advance empowerment, to give voice to those often unheard, and to carry a collective mandate forward. 'These resolutions will be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister and the relevant ministers to support the development of gender-related policies that are inclusive, effective and responsive to women's real needs,' she told reporters after the closing ceremony of WEF ASEAN 2025 at Dewan Perdana, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) today. The forum themed 'Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the ASEAN Sheconomy', which started on June 19, was officially closed by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, alongside Women Economic Forum founder and president Dr Harbeen Arora Rai. The closing ceremony also witnessed the official handing over of the WEF ASEAN 2025 resolutions to Dr Harbeen as well as the symbolic passing of the baton by Hartini to the Philippines, which will host the next edition of the WEF forum in October 2026. According to Hartini, the resolution is structured across four key dimensions, beginning with 'Inner Power', which focuses on empowering women from within through leadership, education and innovation, while the second dimension, 'Inclusion' promotes equitable and sustainable economic growth. The third dimension, 'Integration', emphasises cultural, digital, and policy integration for Sheconomy Growth whereas the fourth dimension, 'Innovation', calls for improved global connectivity and visibility of Sheconomy in post-normal times. The forum gathered 614 participants from 33 countries, supported by four advisory board members, nine ASEAN advisors, and three ministries; the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and the Health Ministry. The high-impact programme featured 24 parallel sessions, 10 plenary discussions, six workshops, nine roundtable sessions, and four firechat dialogues, supported by four keynote speakers, 29 moderators, and 20 members of the organising secretariat. Meanwhile, speaking at the closing ceremony, Noraini said the forum serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when shared purpose is matched by decisive action, and when women unite across borders to build a common and brighter future. 'This forum sparks inspiration and provides a blueprint for long-term cooperation. And the ideas born here, if nurtured and carried forward, have the power to shape policies, influence markets, and redefine inclusive leadership in ASEAN and beyond. She also said the forum also acknowledged that bold ideas often come with challenges including complexity, limited resources, resistance to change, steep learning curves as well as the need for time to test and refine them. 'Let us reaffirm our commitment to good governance, the cornerstone of impactful intergenerational agendas. As we move from discussion to implementation, the principles of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness are more vital than ever. 'We believe the outcomes of this forum will be translated into real, measurable actions through sound policies, innovative enterprises, community-led efforts and meaningful collaborations,' she added.
The Sun
14 hours ago
- The Sun
WEF ASEAN 2025 ends with 27 key women empowerment goals
KUALA LUMPUR: The Women Economic Forum (WEF) ASEAN 2025 concluded today after three impactful days of dialogue, culminating in the announcement of 27 comprehensive resolutions designed to accelerate women's leadership and inclusive economic growth across the ASEAN region and beyond. ASEAN WEF 2025 president Dr Hartini Osman said the resolutions represent a bold, actionable roadmap for ASEAN nations to empower women through targeted leadership, education, innovation and policy integration. 'The outcomes of this forum are crucial in realising the aspirations of women across ASEAN and globally to advance empowerment, to give voice to those often unheard, and to carry a collective mandate forward. 'These resolutions will be brought to the attention of the Prime Minister and the relevant ministers to support the development of gender-related policies that are inclusive, effective and responsive to women's real needs,' she told reporters after the closing ceremony of WEF ASEAN 2025 at Dewan Perdana, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) today. The forum themed 'Women Leaders Beyond Borders: Shaping the Future of the ASEAN Sheconomy', which started on June 19, was officially closed by Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad, alongside Women Economic Forum founder and president Dr Harbeen Arora Rai. The closing ceremony also witnessed the official handing over of the WEF ASEAN 2025 resolutions to Dr Harbeen as well as the symbolic passing of the baton by Hartini to the Philippines, which will host the next edition of the WEF forum in October 2026. According to Hartini, the resolution is structured across four key dimensions, beginning with 'Inner Power', which focuses on empowering women from within through leadership, education and innovation, while the second dimension, 'Inclusion' promotes equitable and sustainable economic growth. The third dimension, 'Integration', emphasises cultural, digital, and policy integration for Sheconomy Growth whereas the fourth dimension, 'Innovation', calls for improved global connectivity and visibility of Sheconomy in post-normal times. The forum gathered 614 participants from 33 countries, supported by four advisory board members, nine ASEAN advisors, and three ministries; the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and the Health Ministry. The high-impact programme featured 24 parallel sessions, 10 plenary discussions, six workshops, nine roundtable sessions, and four firechat dialogues, supported by four keynote speakers, 29 moderators, and 20 members of the organising secretariat. Meanwhile, speaking at the closing ceremony, Noraini said the forum serves as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when shared purpose is matched by decisive action, and when women unite across borders to build a common and brighter future. 'This forum sparks inspiration and provides a blueprint for long-term cooperation. And the ideas born here, if nurtured and carried forward, have the power to shape policies, influence markets, and redefine inclusive leadership in ASEAN and beyond. She also said the forum also acknowledged that bold ideas often come with challenges including complexity, limited resources, resistance to change, steep learning curves as well as the need for time to test and refine them. 'Let us reaffirm our commitment to good governance, the cornerstone of impactful intergenerational agendas. As we move from discussion to implementation, the principles of transparency, accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness are more vital than ever. 'We believe the outcomes of this forum will be translated into real, measurable actions through sound policies, innovative enterprises, community-led efforts and meaningful collaborations,' she added.
