Malaysia launches Malaysia Digital, succeeding MSC Malaysia

  • Initiative to replace MSC Malaysia after 25 years
  • Introducing two Digital Catalytic Programmes

Prime minister Ismail Sabri (fourth from left) launches Malaysia Digital, with several government officials witnessingMalaysia has launched a new initiative called Malaysia Digital, which government officials said will succeed MSC Malaysia, replacing a 25-year-old effort to transform Malaysia into a knowledge-based economy.

In a statement, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) said Malaysia Digital is a national strategic initiative by the government to encourage and attract companies, talents and investment while enabling Malaysian businesses and the citizens to play a leading part in the global digital economy.​

With a new and enhanced framework, Malaysia Digital initiative seeks to enhance the nation’s digital capabilities and boost the digital economy, MDEC added.

MDEC also said Malaysia Digital will allow the country to better prepare for today’s ever-evolving landscape and build the bedrock of a digital nation, ultimately benefitting citizens, businesses, the government and the nation.   

To achieve this vision, the role of the industry is equally important for an impactful implementation of the Malaysia Digital initiative, it said.

Malaysia Digital is driven by the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia (K-KOMM) through Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Malaysia’s lead digital economy agency.

Malaysia Digital was launched yesterday (July 4) by prime minister Ismail Sabri and several other government officials.

Minister of Communications and Multimedia Annuar Musa said, “The digital transformation of the nation and the citizens will continue to be the priority of K-KOMM’s initiatives, as I believe that digital technology is no longer the vision of the future, but the reality of today.

“K-KOMM and MDEC will establish a dedicated platform for the industry to continuously participate and provide valuable feedback on Malaysia Digital, which will include private-sector representatives from relevant industry bodies and organisations as subject matter experts,” he said.

MDEC said Malaysia Digital is built to address three strategic priorities, which are to drive digital adoption among aspiring young entrepreneurs, companies and the rakyat; support local tech companies to become ‘Malaysian champions’ and successful international players; and attract high-value digital investments.

To achieve these visions, MDEC said the government through MDEC will be introducing two initial Malaysia Digital Catalytic Programmes (Pemangkin), which are DE Rantau and Digital Trade.

DE Rantau is a programme to boost digital adoption and promote professional mobility as well as drive tourism across the country, with the goal to establish Malaysia as the preferred Digital Nomad Hub.

Digital Trade, on the other hand, will drive interoperability and greater harmonisation of standards and regulatory approaches as well as to facilitate trade within and across borders.

Leading the execution of Malaysia Digital will be the Malaysia Digital Coordination Committee (MD-CC), which will serve to coordinate the governance and operations of Malaysia Digital, including awarding Malaysia Digital status to companies, MDEC noted.

CEO of MDEC Mahadhir Aziz said that the agency will continue to drive and accelerate the sustainable growth of the nation’s digital economy with Malaysia Digital as the overarching initiative towards establishing Malaysia as the digital hub of Asean.

Malaysia Digital is bolstered by three key considerations – flexibility, agility, and relevance – which will pave the way for the nation’s ongoing and future efforts as well as add more Pemangkin to meet the needs and demands of the future.

 

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