SHAH ALAM, June 25 — Selangor’s Dark Fibre Network has been recognised by the federal government as an important contributor to Malaysia’s digital transformation efforts.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo highlighted the importance of the state-led initiative in advancing the country’s AI ambitions and safeguarding data sovereignty.
“The government recognises the efforts by states that have implemented their own initiatives, such as the Selangor Dark Fibre Network, in digital development, including expanding fibre networks, data centres, smart cities, and other related efforts.
“To ensure data sovereignty for security and national interests, these efforts need to be integrated together between the states and the federal government within a digital ecosystem that is secure, interconnected, and resilient,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Gobind added that the government is adopting a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach to artificial intelligence (AI) development by coordinating federal and state initiatives.
The approach will focus on trusted data governance, the protection of strategic data, secure digital infrastructure, and the strengthening of domestic AI capabilities.
He was responding to Gombak MP Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari’s query about integrating state digital initiatives, such as Selangor’s Dark Fibre Network, into Malaysia’s digital ecosystem while ensuring data sovereignty as the country moves towards becoming an AI-ready nation by 2030.
Gobind noted that Malaysia’s AI development strategy would be guided by the need to balance innovation with security, ensuring the country can manage and benefit from data strategically.
“This means Malaysia has sufficient capability to put in place the right and appropriate protection, make its own decisions on how AI is developed, and how the benefits are distributed to the people.
“The government will continue to implement a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach by focusing on connecting and integrating state efforts into the digital development ecosystem at the federal level,” he said.
This approach is supported by the framework of the National Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN), which includes a dedicated platform to coordinate initiatives between the federal and state governments.
