Latest news with #Gobind

Digital Ministry requests MCMC report on connectivity issues, non-functioning towers in Sarawak

The Sun

9 hours ago

Business
The Sun

Digital Ministry requests MCMC report on connectivity issues, non-functioning towers in Sarawak

SIBU: The Digital Ministry has requested the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) prepare a report regarding the issues of connectivity blackspots and non-functional telecommunications towers, particularly in rural Sarawak. Its minister, Gobind Singh Deo said both these issues were discussed at the State Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN) special committee meeting on May 28, and requested the MCMC to submit a related report within six months. 'I hope that in six months, we will receive a special report from the MCMC regarding these issues together with the Sarawak government, and (see) how we can collaborate to resolve this problem,' he said. Gobind told reporters this after attending the Longhouse Outreach Programme at Rumah Collins in Selangau near here today. The programme, organised by Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), an agency under the ministry, showcases practical field solutions aimed at helping communities leverage digital tools for economic and social enhancement. DNB, in a statement in conjunction with the implementation of the programme, said it involves the 'eKelas Usahawan' talk by Maxis Bhd; a financial literacy session by SME Bank; and a TikTok Shop boot camp, aimed at equipping rural entrepreneurs and youth with digital marketing and e-commerce skills. Meanwhile, the session by CyberSecurity Malaysia (CSM) also provided important education on online safety and digital responsibility.

The Sun

9 hours ago

Business
The Sun

Digital Ministry requests MCMC report on connectivity issue

Federal government vows to resolve telecommunication gaps, idle towers in Sarawak, says Digital Minister

Borneo Post

11 hours ago

Business
Borneo Post

Federal government vows to resolve telecommunication gaps, idle towers in Sarawak, says Digital Minister

Gobind (left) cuts the ribbon to initiate the programme at Rumah Collin in Selangau. SIBU (May 31): The federal government has pledged to resolve the issue of 'idle towers' and areas without telecommunication coverage in Sarawak through close collaboration with the state government and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC). Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced the formation of a special committee, the Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution Council (MED4IRN), tasked with addressing digital connectivity challenges, including the problem of non-operational telecommunications towers. He said the committee, which meets quarterly, includes state executive council members responsible for digital affairs. 'In the meetings, we discuss two key issues concerning Sarawak, areas with no coverage at all, and the existence of towers without services. 'I have instructed MCMC to prepare a comprehensive report on this, which is expected to be tabled within the next six months,' he told reporters when met after attending the Longhouse Outreach Programme at Rumah Collin in Selangau today. The council's latest meeting was held on April 28 in Penang, with participation from MCMC representatives and Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong. Gobind emphasised his ministry's commitment to fostering close cooperation among all stakeholders to expedite solutions for the benefit of the people. In a related update, Gobind revealed that applications for the rollout of the 5G network in the Selangau area are currently under review. 'I've requested Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) to look into the application and submit a report to me by next week. 'Today, DNB Chief Executive Officer Datuk Azman was also present, and I believe he is a highly committed individual. I hope a decision can be made soon,' he added. Gobind also stressed that concerns voiced by community leaders, including Tuai Rumah (longhouse chiefs), must be taken seriously and addressed promptly. 'My commitment is to ensure that this issue is resolved as soon as possible because digital connectivity is not only crucial for communication but also for access to education, healthcare, and economic development in rural communities,' he said. Meanwhile, Gobind announced a RM50,000 allocation for Rumah Collin to fund the longhouse repair and upgrade works, including fixing roof leaks and other necessary improvements. He was accompanied by Ugak, DNB CEO Datuk Azman, and Tamin assemblyman Christopher Gira Sambang. 5g Gobind Singh Deo idle towers lead MCMC Selangau telecommunications

IBM at the forefront: Where Agentic AI takes the lead

Malaysiakini

2 days ago

Business
Malaysiakini

IBM at the forefront: Where Agentic AI takes the lead

Malaysia's ambitions to become a regional AI and digital powerhouse gained fresh momentum at the IBM Tech Innovation Summit 2025 held in Kuala Lumpur recently, where IBM Malaysia unveiled a powerful suite of next-generation technologies designed to help enterprises scale AI securely and effectively. The summit convened policymakers, industry leaders, and technology experts to explore how artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and governance can together fuel national growth. In a keynote address that set the tone for the event, Minister of Digital YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo called on businesses and institutions to act with urgency in adapting to the AI-driven future. 'Malaysia is racing to prepare for a tech-driven future,' he said. 'Those who fail to adapt risk falling behind.' Gobind emphasised that technology alone is not enough. For AI to deliver broad benefits, Malaysia must also strengthen its digital foundations - fostering trust, connectivity, and capability. Minister of Digital YB Tuan Gobind Singh Deo delivers his keynote address Since its formation in late 2023, the Ministry of Digital has already introduced key legislation, including the Cybersecurity Bill, Data Sharing Act, and updates to privacy laws, with the aim of building a secure and trusted digital ecosystem. 'This is just the beginning,' he added. 'We must invest in skills, encourage cross-sector data sharing, and ensure that public trust is at the heart of everything we build. We must build a future-ready nation - together.' Launching infrastructure for AI at scale Taking centre stage at the summit was the launch of IBM z17 and IBM LinuxONE 5, two ground-breaking platforms engineered to meet the demands of high-volume, enterprise-grade AI. IBM LinuxONE 5, the company's most secure Linux platform to date, is capable of processing up to 450 billion AI inference operations per day. It supports containerised workloads and promises up to 44 percent reduction in total cost of ownership over five years, compared to x86-based systems - making it a compelling choice for businesses seeking both performance and efficiency. IBM z17, meanwhile, brings AI to the core of enterprise operations. Powered by IBM's Telum II processor, it enables real-time scoring of 100 percent of transactions and supports more than 250 AI use cases, from mitigating loan risk and detecting retail fraud to powering medical image analysis. It also integrates quantum-safe encryption and advanced AI accelerators, ensuring both speed and security. In showcasing these platforms, IBM highlighted a central message: AI is only as powerful as the infrastructure behind it. Many organisations still struggle with poor data readiness, long deployment timelines, and difficulties integrating AI into existing systems. These new offerings aim to remove those barriers. From left: Alex Gogh, General Manager, IBM Z Stack and Systems Client Engagement and Nathan Dotson, Principal Product Manager, IBM z17, speaking during the launch of the IBM z17 mainframe From experimentation to execution In support of this, IBM also released findings from its latest survey with CEOs, which shows a striking trend: while AI investments are expected to more than double over the next two years, only 25 percent of initiatives have so far delivered the expected returns. However, optimism remains strong. By 2027, 85 percent of surveyed CEOs anticipate positive ROI from scaled AI efficiencies, while 77 percent expect returns from AI-fuelled growth and expansion. Speaking at the summit, Dickson Woo, Country General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM Malaysia, made it clear that the age of AI experimentation is over. Dickson Woo, Country General Manager and Technology Leader for IBM Malaysia 'True competitive advantage lies in purpose-driven AI integration that delivers measurable outcomes,' Woo said. 'In Malaysia, AI is set to unlock immense opportunities—driving innovation, boosting productivity, and opening new pathways for growth. IBM is combining hybrid technologies, agentic capabilities, and deep consulting expertise to help businesses operationalise AI and turn potential into performance.' Designing future-ready industries with agentic AI Another highlight of the summit was a powerful dialogue on agentic AI, a new paradigm where AI systems are capable of autonomously learning, deciding, and acting in complex environments. These systems go beyond conventional machine learning by initiating actions, optimising outcomes, and adapting over time - essential traits in today's fast-moving digital economy. With over a billion new apps projected by 2028, the digital landscape will become increasingly fragmented. Agentic AI offers a pathway to overcome that fragmentation by enabling scalable decision-making, operational agility, and intelligent automation across industries. 'IBM believes the potential for enterprise productivity lies in strategically managing all AI agents and assistants that work across enterprises,' said Woo. Today, IBM is excited to introduce a new orchestrator agent feature to IBM watsonx™ Orchestrate that uses fine-tuned foundation models within an agentic architecture to provide advanced reasoning capabilities and autonomous decision-making to quickly address employee needs. 'That's why IBM isn't just making agents, we're making it so that agents can get to work across businesses existing toolsets. IBM's open approach combined with deep expertise in orchestration, integration and automation make us the trusted partner for enterprises looking to accelerate the adoption of agents and assistants.' said Woo. 'But to start actually putting agents into action, these agents must be able to connect and navigate an extensive, complex technology stack. Orchestration and automation are the secret weapons to unlock AI productivity — enabling businesses to connect and manage vast networks of agents and assistants across broad enterprise technology stacks,' he added. Experts at the summit also emphasised the need for cross-sector collaboration, responsible AI governance, and data readiness as core enablers of this shift. By combining agentic systems with secure infrastructure like IBM z17 and LinuxONE 5, businesses can move from isolated pilots to full-scale, real-time AI deployment. A trusted, inclusive digital economy As the digital economy evolves, Malaysia's approach - anchored in trust, infrastructure, and talent development - positions the country to lead in responsible AI adoption. The IBM Tech Innovation Summit reinforced the urgent need for stakeholders to work together to ensure AI delivers not just growth, but inclusive and sustainable impact. With the right platforms and policies in place, Malaysia is well on its way to becoming a regional hub for AI innovation - one that is secure, ethical, and built to last. In conversation: Creating clarity in crisis to supercharge business growth The IBM Tech Innovation Summit hosted a C-suite luncheon facilitated by Karamjit Singh, Founder and CEO of Digital News Asia,' where senior leaders across healthcare, finance, aviation, manufacturing, and telecoms gathered for an open and thought-provoking dialogue on the future of artificial intelligence and its role in building business resilience. One of the session's focal points was the healthcare sector, where discussions highlighted how artificial intelligence is already transforming care delivery - not as a future promise, but as a present reality. AI was framed not as a looming threat, but a powerful enabler across the healthcare system. From diagnostic support to remote monitoring, AI is helping providers make faster, more informed clinical decisions while simultaneously reducing operational costs and enhancing patient outcomes. However, several attendees also underscored that technology alone isn't the solution. Its effectiveness ultimately depends on how well people are prepared to use it and whether the surrounding ecosystem can support meaningful adoption. The C-Suite Luncheon in session This theme of responsible and purposeful AI adoption echoed throughout the luncheon. Leaders across industries agreed that while AI brings tremendous potential, it must be scaled with care. Concerns around data integrity, governance, and trust surfaced repeatedly, particularly in high-stakes sectors like healthcare and finance. Participants shared real-world strategies - from establishing AI ethics committees to developing on-premise applications that safeguard sensitive data - as they work to balance innovation with accountability. There was a collective call for more structured frameworks to evaluate AI risks by use case and to future-proof workforce capabilities. The conversation closed on a powerful note: true transformation doesn't come from adopting technology alone, but from reimagining how it serves people, purpose, and progress. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in the fabric of business, success will belong to those who lead with clarity, invest in capability, and remain grounded in ethical intent. The path forward may be complex - but it's also full of possibility.

Supportive legal framework needed for new tech

The Star

3 days ago

Automotive
The Star

Supportive legal framework needed for new tech

Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo speaks at the ASEAN-GCC Economic forum 2025 at Mandarin Oriental hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, —AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star. KUALA LUMPUR: Having a supportive legislative framework in place is essential towards building an ecosystem that can accommodate new and advanced technologies, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo (pic). Apart from ensuring adequate technological infrastructure, he said there is a need to review legislations that may potentially pose challenges in implementing new technological solutions. Gobind said there is currently a unit in the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) looking into such matters and discussions on which laws may require amendments are already being held with various stakeholders. 'We have to be prepared to face these problems and deal with them when necessary, so we can build an ecosystem not just in terms of infrastructure but also a ready legislative framework that lets us move ahead,' he told reporters after the Asean-GCC Economic Forum. Citing the example of autonomous vehicle networks, Gobind said that in Malaysia, any vehicle on the road must have a licensed driver behind the wheel so as to adhere to legal requirements. 'When we talk about autonomous vehicle networks, we are looking at how cars can move on their own. 'We have also already seen autonomous buses in Putrajaya. The question is how we can prepare the legal framework for this,' he added. It was reported last year that an autonomous electric bus service trial will be rolled out in Putrajaya.