Gobind calls for stronger Asean cooperation

New Straits Times

13-05-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: A deeper collaboration among Asean member states is crucial to establish unified principles and interoperable frameworks for trusted artificial intelligence (AI) and ethical data governance, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
He noted that AI's impact transcends national borders, influencing the entire region and the global landscape.
While Malaysia is developing its own regulatory framework, Gobind stressed that the country is also seeking opportunities to collaborate regionally to create a comprehensive cross-border AI governance framework.
"We believe Malaysia can serve as a testbed for innovation, a regional convener and a trusted partner in co-developing the governance models that will shape the digital future of Southeast Asia.
"Because trust, like the technologies we seek to govern, must be borderless, inclusive and collectively stewarded," he said in his opening remarks at PwC Malaysia's AI Leadership Conference 2025.
Meanwhile, at a media brefing, Gobind announced that, in conjunction with Malaysia's Asean chairmanship this year, the country will host an AI Summit in August, where regional AI governance, safety and ethical frameworks will be key topics of discussion.
He noted that Malaysia's national AI efforts are already underway, involving engagements with industry, academia, civil society and government agencies to shape a Malaysian-centric trust framework for AI and data governance.
This framework, he added, should naturally evolve into a broader regional initiative.
"The question now is how we craft our own policy and then, after that, escalate it to the Asean level to see whether or not we can find a mechanism by which all of us can work together.
"At the end of the day there are concerns about how it is we can ensure that systems are safe and trusted.
"I think this is something that needs to be discussed nationally and also beyond that, which we hope to achieve moving towards the event in August," he added.
At the event, Gobind launched the Data Management Association (DAMA) Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chapter, in collaboration with PwC.
Beyond professional networks, he said it is a strategic signal, an affirmation that trusted data governance is central to national resilience, innovation and AI readiness.