Malaysia Seeks To Build AI Capabilities, Compete Globally -- PM Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR, April 27 (Bernama) --  Malaysia will not remain merely a user of artificial intelligence (AI), but will collaborate with partners to build capabilities and compete with confidence in the global digital economy, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Guided by MADANI principles, he said the government’s focus remains on the people, with efforts to drive economic advancement and prosperity anchored in equity and social justice.

He added that Malaysia intends to work with partners to strengthen capabilities and position itself more competitively in the global digital economy.

“Following from our MADANI core values, our emphasis is on the people, as we aim to foster economic advancement and prosperity with equity and social justice.

“Pursuing digital transformation driven merely by the quest for material progress will be counterproductive if it leads to the enlargement of social inequities,” he said in his keynote address at the launch of the Huawei AI Lab and Innovation Centre here today.

Also in attendance were Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Treasury Secretary-General Datuk Johan Mahmood Merican, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission chairman Tan Sri Mohamad Salim Fateh Din, and Huawei Asia Pacific president Terry He.

He also said Malaysia will remain open to investment from both East and West, as well as partnerships with companies that respect national laws and priorities.

However, he stressed that the country will retain control over key policy decisions.

“But we will not relinquish the decisions that matter most: how our data is governed, how AI systems are used in our public institutions, and how new technologies are introduced into the lives of our citizens,” he said.

Anwar also extended his congratulations to Huawei on the opening of its first AI Lab and Innovation Centre outside China.

“May I again express profound thanks to Huawei for showing confidence in Malaysia and supporting many of our endeavours. The training, the exposure, the facilities shared — I think it symbolises the real partnership between us.

“Happy 25th anniversary. And I look forward with confidence that we shall achieve this,” he added.

The newly launched Huawei AI Lab and Innovation Centre is set to serve the wider Asia Pacific region.

With a total area of 13,638 square feet, the facility offers ample space to demonstrate Huawei’s latest solutions and use cases for digital and energy transformation, encourage deeper collaboration on innovation and ecosystem development, as well as closer engagement between industry and education stakeholders to train more Malaysian AI talent.

-- BERNAMA