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Business Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Malaysia plans digital sovereignty law, backs global halal logo with Indonesia
[KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia is drafting new legislation to address digital sovereignty in the age of artificial intelligence, aiming to safeguard national security without stifling innovation, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Wednesday (May 28). Speaking at the 2025 Fortune Asean-GCC Economic Forum, Anwar said the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is now unavoidable across all areas of life – including within government agencies – and that the traditional concept of sovereignty is no longer adequate to protect the country's national interest. Therefore, he said, sovereignty must be redefined to safeguard security. 'It has to be reviewed and repurposed to protect the country's security, but at the same time (we must allow) this new space to accommodate companies and operations in the cloud-based operations,' he said at a panel discussion. 'I'm pushing for this as hard as possible… But I also recognise that values and knowledge cannot be dictated by a single society. This must be resolved through education and critical thinking,' he added. Anwar said that with the right legislation in place, Malaysia can protect its national security without stifling innovation and creative development. While sanguine about the role of AI in driving economic growth and digital transformation, the prime minister acknowledged that ethical concerns remain. 'Technology is neutral, but values are not. We must be vigilant.' In a separate session, Malaysia's Home Affairs Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail echoed the same sentiment, stressing that the adoption of AI is no longer optional but essential. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up He noted that Malaysia welcomed over 35 million tourists last year, with the majority entering through the country's two busiest gateways – Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Johor-Singapore Causeway. 'Take Johor-Singapore Causeway, for instance. It is one of the busiest crossings in the world, handling around 500,000 travellers daily. Without the usage of AI and technology tools, such as face recognition and automation systems, it would have been impossible to ensure smooth and efficient immigration clearance,' he said. AI to enable deeper regional collaboration Vietnam's Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, also on the panel, said AI could serve as a key enabler of deeper collaboration between Asean and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). 'Asean has a vibrant, diverse market and a skilled workforce, while the GCC brings energy resources, financing, and advanced technologies. These are complementary strengths. Governments must facilitate, but businesses must lead,' he added. Pham cautioned that the rise of AI must be accompanied by global cooperation. 'No single country can manage the risks alone. Multilateralism is essential, especially to help less developed countries catch up and ensure no one is left behind.' In enhancing competitiveness, G42 Group CEO Peng Xiao suggested that Asean countries such as Malaysia and Vietnam must reposition themselves in the global supply chain by capitalising on their respective strengths – Malaysia in semiconductors and Vietnam in engineering talent. 'We (investors) are no longer just building factories; we are building intelligent ecosystems,' he said. 'The future belongs to those who can fuse human talent with AI innovation.' Malaysia, Indonesia push for global halal logo In a separate session, Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi emphasised on the potential of halal industry and the country's collaboration with Indonesia to establish a consolidated halal logo that is recognised globally. He revealed that officials from Malaysia and Indonesia are are set to meet representatives of the World Halal Council in Riyadh this November to discuss the proposal – a move aimed at strengthening global consumer trust and industry standards. 'The global demand for halal-certified products is rising rapidly, and it's not just among Muslims. Halal has become synonymous with safety, hygiene, and quality,' Zahid said. 'We need to unify standards to enhance global confidence.' Citing data from the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, Zahid said global exports of halal products are projected to reach US$1.3 trillion this year, and are expected to grow to US$3 trillion by 2027 and US$5 trillion by 2050. Panelists at the summit, which highlighted the emerging sectors such as the green and digital economy, underscored that Malaysia should capitalise on its leadership in the halal ecosystem. Jing Guangjun, chairman of Guangzhou Industrial Investment Holdings, highlighted cross-border opportunities for regional investors in halal. 'Malaysia can contribute its branding and certification expertise, while R&D and manufacturing can be based in China. Together, we can serve global markets,' he said. At a separate media briefing, Malaysia's Trade and Investment Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz confirmed that the halal industry is a key focus in bilateral discussions with GCC member states, alongside logistics and pharmaceuticals. He also revealed that negotiations are under way to expand the Asean-China Free Trade Agreement to cover new sectors, including the green economy, digital economy, and supply chain industries. 'Geopolitical dynamics are becoming more complex, and we need to deepen engagement with new economic blocs,' Tengku Zafrul said. 'The 46th Asean Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China summit have opened the door to expanded cooperation, particularly in strategic growth sectors.'
The Star
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah in good health, resting, says Anwar
PUTRAJAYA: Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah is in good health and resting, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. "He is in good condition so let him rest. We will be issuing a statement later," the Prime Minister told reporters when met after closing the Asean Auditor Conference here on Wednesday (May 28). During his speech, Anwar apologised to participants and delegates of the event for being slightly late. "I attended the Fortune Asean-GCC Economic Forum earlier this morning and stopped by the National Heart Institute (IJN) to visit the Sultan of Brunei on my way here. "The Sultan is recuperating and resting," he said. The 78-year-old monarch was admitted to the National Heart Institute (IJN) in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday (May 27). He is expected to remain there for several days on the advice of Malaysian medical experts, his office added.
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New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
[UPDATED] Govt plans new law to redefine sovereignty in digital age [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: The government plans to push for a new legislation aimed at reinterpreting sovereignty in light of the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud-based technologies. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said that following the evolving role of governance in the digital era, the traditional notions of sovereignty, designed for a pre-digital world, must be reconsidered to accommodate new technological realities. "AI is so penetrative, so compelling that it covers the whole spectrum of governance and daily life that we leaders have no choice but to try to grasp this new technology. "Governments are there to protect sovereignty, but then the word sovereignty predates new technology. "It has to be reviewed, repurposed to protect the security of the nation. But at the same time, to allow for this new space to accommodate companies and operations in the cloud, within the sovereign area, but still totally independent of national laws, [sic] accepting for protecting borders and security. "That is why I believe that we in Malaysia, for example, have accepted this and to introduce new legislation to recognise that sovereignty needs to be redefined, so we can adapt to new technologies and let AI operate more independently, similar to how embassies used to have under the old system," he said during a panel session at the 2025 Fortune Asean-GCC Economic Forum today. Present were Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Anwar also dismissed criticisms that his views on AI are overly philosophical, saying Malaysia must move decisively. He, however, said that while AI offers immense potential, its development must not come at the expense of local values and intellectual diversity. "People criticise me saying that I am too philosophical and giving so much concern on this development, (but there is) no way we can slow down. "In fact, (for) Malaysia, I want to drive this, get all the legislation in place, get this sovereignty issue resolved and I am determined to push it as hard as possible. "However, I am also aware that our understanding, values and knowledge cannot be dictated by one particular society or values, but how do we resolve this? It is through education, understanding and critical thinking," he said. He also said that while there are growing concerns surrounding AI, particularly its ethical implications and the potential erosion of human values, efforts to debunk the concerns, particularly by Western supremacy, must be made. "I am not suggesting these challenges are insurmountable, but we are dealing with human beings. Their concerns, particularly regarding values and the reconstruction of our understanding of history, must be considered as part of the whole exercise in venturing into new technologies. "The view that globalisation today is defined and dictated by technology and the supremacy of the West is a thinking that must be debunked, as cosmopolitan centres such as Makkah, Madinah, Oman, and Melaka were globalised hubs long before modern globalisation took root. "What we need is a sense of identity, dignity and purpose for our societies," he said.
The Star
28-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia has done well by working with both US and China, says Saifuddin
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has only gained by choosing to work with both China and the United States instead of taking sides between the two superpowers, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. 'For a country like Malaysia, our practical position is we do not need to choose sides," the Home Minister said during a panel session at the 2025 Fortune Asean-GCC Economic Forum here on Wednesday (May 28). "We have chosen to work with both. 'It has only brought us benefits,' he added. More to come
New Straits Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Jakim may set global halal standard
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia and Indonesia will lead discussions for a consolidified halal logo under the World Halal Council. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they are considering using the standards set by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) as the benchmark. "God willing, in November we will go to Riyadh and discuss the logo with the World Halal Council. "This means that we would not need different halal logos for different Islamic countries or non-Islamic countries that issue halal logos. Instead, we will use the standards set by Jakim as the benchmark," he said at the sidelines of the Fortune Asean-GCC Economic Forum today. Zahid is chairman of the Halal Industry Development Council of Malaysia.
