SHAH ALAM, June 25 — Malaysia is strengthening its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and safeguarding data sovereignty while managing reliance on foreign technology through a balanced approach, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
The government is ensuring innovation is not pursued at the expense of security, while providing states a role in shaping national AI direction.
“We are balancing innovation with security and sovereignty by strengthening local capabilities and ensuring states have a role in shaping national AI strategies,” he said during the question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Gobind 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.
He added that this is being done through a whole-of-government and whole-of-nation approach, with coordination between federal and state governments.
A key mechanism in the approach is the Data Centre Task Force (DCTF), which oversees the development of data centres that support AI growth.
The task force ensures data centre development is structured, secure, and sustainable, while aligning investment and infrastructure planning across the country.
Gobind noted that the DCTF also looks at issues including infrastructure needs, incentives, and investment facilitation, as Malaysia continues to attract data centre projects across states, including Johor and Selangor.
“In that committee, representatives from the ministries are also present, and we look into specific aspects involving data centres, including energy requirements and water needs.
“Each state ensures that applications are submitted and approval processes are carried out so that data centres can be built quickly and in an orderly manner.
“We will ensure that data centres to be built in Malaysia are aligned with the latest technology, as well as the necessary incentives required to attract the targeted investments to achieve these objectives,” he said.
The target is to develop a strong domestic AI ecosystem so Malaysia can move beyond being just a consumer and instead become a technology producer.
