- Positions itself as key execution partner for Malaysia’s AI Nation 2030 agenda
- MD2030 roadmap targets bigger digital economy, 500,000 high-value jobs by 2030
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has pledged to rally industry, talent, infrastructure and innovation behind the Government’s Malaysia Digital 2030 (MD2030) agenda, positioning itself as a key driver in realising the national vision of making Malaysia an inclusive, trusted and globally competitive AI Nation by 2030.
The commitment follows the recent launch of MD2030 by prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, which sets out Malaysia’s national digital action plan for 2026 to 2030 and marks a shift from Malaysia being primarily a technology consumer to becoming a producer of home-grown digital innovation.
MDEC chairman Ganesh Kumar Bangah said MDEC has a critical role to play in translating the national agenda into execution by mobilising industry, talent, infrastructure and innovation around Malaysia’s next phase of digital growth.
“As Malaysia enters the next generation of technology through AI, we have another mission in front of us. The Government has set a mandate to grow the digital economy from 25% to 30% of the economy, and MDEC must lead again in driving AI adoption, digital economy acceleration and industry transformation,” he said.
He added that Malaysia already possesses many of the building blocks needed to become a leading AI nation, including digital infrastructure, talent, technology companies and a growing innovation ecosystem.
“Malaysia has the infrastructure, we have the talent and we have thousands of companies in the ecosystem. It is now time for MDEC to put all these strengths together and lead the charge,” he said at an event commemorating MDEC’s 30th anniversary,” Ganesh said.
Recently appointed as MDEC chairman, Ganesh said his appointment represented a full-circle moment, having first engaged with the agency more than two decades ago as an entrepreneur applying for Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) status.
“MDEC has been part of my journey for more than half my life, not just half my career. Time and again, MDEC has supported the industry, whether directly, indirectly, through regulation, through programmes or even through moral support,” he said. “I am one of you.”
Meanwhile, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, CEO of MDEC said the agency’s 30th anniversary marked both a celebration of its achievements and the beginning of its next phase in supporting Malaysia’s digital transformation.
He said MDEC has continuously reinvented itself across different waves of technology, from the early days of the Multimedia Super Corridor to digital platforms, content, investments, exports, digital infrastructure and now AI.
“For 30 years, MDEC has evolved together with the nation through every wave of change. Technology has changed many times, but our purpose has remained clear: to strengthen Malaysia’s digital economy and ensure technology improves the lives of Malaysians,” he said.
“As Malaysia enters this next chapter, our responsibility grows with it. MDEC has a role to play in turning this national mission into reality by empowering Malaysians, strengthening industry capabilities and equipping talent with the skills needed to participate in the AI economy.”
Both leaders also paid tribute to MDEC’s past and present leadership, employees and long-serving staff, saying their commitment, resilience and professionalism had helped shape Malaysia’s digital economy over the past three decades.
“Many of our people have witnessed MDEC evolve through different chapters, leadership teams, technologies and national priorities. Their experience is invaluable as we chart the next phase. MDEC has never stood still, and we will rise to this challenge,” Anuar said.
MD2030 is built around seven strategic pillars—government, economy, infrastructure, talent, society, trust and security, and innovation—under a whole-of-government approach led by the Ministry of Digital.
The roadmap aims to increase the digital economy’s contribution to gross domestic product to 30% by 2030, create 500,000 high-value digital jobs, generate RM4.5 billion in public-sector savings through digitalisation, and deliver 95% of government services fully online from end to end.
MDEC is among the agencies under the Ministry of Digital supporting the implementation of MD2030, alongside the National AI Office, GovTech Malaysia, CyberSecurity Malaysia, MyDigital Corporation and the Malaysia Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Through MD2030, Malaysia aims to shape a future where artificial intelligence is integrated across government, industry and society, data is treated as a strategic national asset, intelligent and autonomous systems become part of everyday life, and Malaysians are empowered to thrive alongside technology.
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