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The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur to support Malaysia's 2040 Smart Nation agenda
KUALA LUMPUR: Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), the first Southeast Asian edition of the globally renowned Smart City Expo from Barcelona set to take place this September, aligns with Malaysia's aspiration to become a Smart Nation by 2040, says Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said SCEKL25 underscored Malaysia's leading role in advancing smart city development anchored by four strategic pillars, namely AI Cities, Sustainable and Resilient Cities, Digital Entrepreneurship and Economic Development and Community Empowerment through Digital Solutions. 'SCEKL25 represents a bold step forward in Malaysia's ambition to become a leading regional digital hub. It sets the stage for transformative conversations about the future of urban innovation,' he said in a statement. Earlier today, Gobind officially launched the 100-day countdown to the expo, which takes place from Sept 17 to 19. Themed 'AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future,' the expo highlights Malaysia's vision for smart, inclusive and sustainable cities. Commenting further, Gobind said that with ASEAN's digital economy on the cusp of exponential growth, the expo offered a unique platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies and foster meaningful dialogue on how AI and digital transformation would shape the cities of tomorrow. Meanwhile, in the same statement, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer (CEO) Anuar Fariz Fadzil echoed the sentiment, calling SCEKL25 a catalyst for the smart city revolution in Southeast Asia. He said the initiative reflected the nation's commitment to leading the region in building intelligent, inclusive, resilient and sustainable cities powered by AI, where technology empowers people and drives the next wave of urban transformation The expo, co-organised by the MDEC and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB) for the Ministry of Digital, will bring together global leaders, investors, tech innovators and policymakers to explore how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping urban life across ASEAN.
The Star
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
From lecture halls to job calls
ASIA Pacific University's (APU) Bukit Jalil campus, Kuala Lumpur, which typically buzzes with students, was transformed into a vibrant meeting ground on May 7, where learners and potential employers gathered, looking to form mutually beneficial matches. What began in 2017 with around 80 companies has now grown into a major university-organised recruitment event in Malaysia, drawing over 7,000 students and more than 500 talent partners this year. The fair saw over 120 leading companies in banking, telecoms, IT, gaming and beyond offering upwards of 10,000 internships and graduate roles to eager and bright jobseekers. New ways to shine A highlight of this year's fair was APU's newly introduced 'Career Shark Tank', a fast-paced pitching challenge where students presented 90-second self-introductions to a panel of 20 companies. All participants secured at least one interview, while standout students received job offers from all the companies present. This session helped participants sharpen their personal branding under pressure, practice public speaking and engage directly with local and international recruiters. The university also organised panel talks for students, inviting industry experts to give students a direct line of tips on how they can stand out in a competitive and evolving job market. Meanwhile, the AI-powered CV clinic provided real-time feedback on structure, language and keyword optimisation—helping students tailor their resumes for digital screening. Learning meets industry As a Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC)-recognised Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI), APU collaborates closely with leading tech players—including Amazon Web Services, Cisco, Intel and Microsoft—to co-design modules, guest-lecture and run hackathons modelled on real-world challenges. Students also gain priority access to internships, talent-hunt events and targeted networking sessions with partner companies, while AI- and data-driven workshops ensure their skills align with Malaysia's digital-economy roadmap. Through this ecosystem, APU integrates industry expectations into classroom learning to ensure students graduate career-ready. Leaders on the ground APU chief operating officer Gurpardeep Singh called the event a clear validation of the university's commitment to employability. Gurpardeep views the strong relationship between the university and industry as a key part of its broader mission to produce future-proof professionals. He noted that recruiters from Japan, Hong Kong and Sweden even flew in to take part, underscoring global interest in APU's diverse student body, especially its international cohort. 'Our vision is to transform students into highly employable, competent and future-proof professionals. 'This fair is part of that mission—and it speaks volumes when employers keep returning year after year,' he said. While technical know-how is expected, he added that employers prize attitude and communication most. APU vice chancellor Professor Dr Ho Chin Kuan echoed that sentiment, framing the university's role as a custodian for its students. 'Many of our students are the first in their families to attend university,' he said. The university takes its role in nurturing students and preparing them for meaningful careers seriously, according to Prof Ho. 'Parents entrust us with their children and expect a return on investment: gainful employment and career growth.' Prof Ho highlighted APU's multicultural makeup, with half of its students hailing from over 130 countries, as a valuable asset. 'Our graduates develop cross-cultural communication skills that are critical in a global workforce,' he said. A wall of possibilities: Over 10,000 job and internship listings drew in eager crowds at APU's Mega Career Fair. Giving back to the next generation Returning alumni also played their part. Lee Kar Hoe, an APU International Relations alum and now Horizontal Talent Malaysia's account lead for IT recruitment, shared fond memories of his time at APU. He urged students interested in tech to build portfolios through freelance or part-time projects, noting, 'Only one in ten candidates arrives with hands-on work to show, and that makes all the difference.' He also highlighted the value of interpersonal skills that reflect readiness to learn and the importance of branding. Software engineering diploma graduate turned Touch 'n Go Digital Java developer Carmen Lim Yi Yen said her course laid a strong foundation of skills and knowledge. Her advice to IT hopefuls is simple: 'Fresh graduates won't know everything, but if you show passion and eagerness to learn, employers will notice.' With its unique blend of recruitment, mentorship, and real-world preparation, APU's career fair serves as a launchpad, equipping students not just with job leads but also the mindset and skills to thrive in the working world. By creating a dynamic space where employers can engage with top student talent, often securing first pick of the next generation, the annual Mega Career Fair continues to bridge education and meaningful employment.
Borneo Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Sabah, Sarawak fast emerging as key digital infra hubs
Anuar Fariz Fadzil says digital clusters in East Malaysia are now gaining momentum, backed by strong support from the Madani Government, regional demand and growing investor confidence. – Photo by Ronnie Teo KUALA LUMPUR (May 18): Sabah and Sarawak are fast becoming integral to Malaysia's national digital infrastructure strategy, with major data centre developments placing East Malaysia firmly on the map for high-value digital investments. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil said that while Johor and Cyberjaya have long been established digital clusters Peninsular Malaysia, new locations in East Malaysia are now gaining momentum, backed by strong support from the Madani Government, regional demand and growing investor confidence. In Sabah, the upcoming Tier III Borneo Data Centre in Kota Kinabalu is expected to significantly improve regional connectivity and support cross-border data flows. Over in Sarawak, projects within the Samalaju Industrial Park and ongoing infrastructure expansion in Kuching are helping to position the state as a rising hub for data-driven industries. 'What we are seeing is a nationwide movement — from the peninsula to East Malaysia — driven by investor confidence, government facilitation and real market demand,' Anuar said. He was speaking at the Datacentre and Cloud Infra Summit (DCCI) 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur recently, where he highlighted how Malaysia's stable governance, coherent digital strategies and commitment to sustainability are drawing global tech giants to invest. Malaysia currently hosts 54 operational data centres with another 24 under construction. Global players such as ByteDance, Microsoft, Oracle and NVIDIA have already established a presence, while Google's new hyperscale data centre in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan — part of a US$2 billion investment — is progressing on schedule. Data centre and cloud-related projects accounted for RM9.9 billion, or over 60 per cent of total approved investments under the Malaysia Digital (MD) initiative between January and mid-April 2025. The overall total reached RM16.2 billion in the same period. 'These projects are creating meaningful, gainful employment for more Malaysians, enabling greater digitalisation for businesses and delivering long-term benefits for the rakyat and the nation as a whole,' said Anuar. He added that Malaysia's 40 per cent renewable energy target by 2035 has become a major draw for global hyperscalers seeking ESG-aligned expansion in Asia. 'We must build not just for today, but for the generations to come. That means embedding sustainability into every layer of our digital infrastructure — from site selection and energy use to operations and regulation.' As an agency under the Ministry of Digital, MDEC works closely with its sibling institutions — including MyDIGITAL Corporation, CyberSecurity Malaysia, Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), MYNIC, the National Digital Department (JDN) and the Department of Personal Data Protection (JPDP) — to ensure alignment across cybersecurity, regulation and talent development. While challenges such as power provisioning, regulatory clarity and skilled talent remain, Anuar said East Malaysia has an important role to play in ensuring inclusive growth across the national digital landscape. 'The infrastructure we build today will determine our competitiveness tomorrow. It is essential that we move forward with purpose, clarity and shared resolve,' he said. Meanwhile, Tradepass director Praveen Venu praised the government's efforts in creating an investor-friendly climate, noting that Malaysia's digital push is increasingly resonating with global players seeking sustainable and inclusive opportunities. 'Malaysia has positioned itself exceptionally well under the Madani Government's leadership. The clarity of its digital roadmap, commitment to ESG principles and willingness to collaborate with industry are exactly what global investors look for,' he said. 'As an international company, we are proud to host DCCI 2025 in Kuala Lumpur where conversations have moved beyond growth to include sustainable, inclusive progress that benefits the entire region — including East Malaysia.'
New Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Malaysia cements position as top site for data centre investments: MDEC
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is rapidly cementing its position as a leading destination for data centre investments in Southeast Asia. Global technology giants pointing to stable governance, clear digital strategies and strong institutional coordination as key enablers. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil said investor confidence is being driven by the country's coherent policy direction, effective public-private collaboration, reliable power infrastructure, low disaster risk and commitment to long-term sustainability. "The fundamentals are in place - from institutional support to renewable energy integration. "This is why global players are choosing Malaysia as their regional base for cloud and data infrastructure," he added. Anuar spoke at the international Datacentre and Cloud Infra Summit (DCCI) 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre on Wednesday. Malaysia currently hosts some 54 operational data centres, with a further 24 under construction, supported by a balanced mix of domestic and international players. Global technology firms such as ByteDance, Microsoft, Oracle and Nvidia have already expanded their presence, while Google's new hyperscale data centre in Port Dickson - part of a US$2 billion investment - is progressing on schedule. Data centre and cloud infrastructure projects alone accounted for over RM9.9 billion, representing more than 60 per cent of total approved investments under the Malaysia Digital (MD) initiative from January to mid-April 2025. This forms part of RM16.2 billion in overall digital investments approved during the same period. Anuar said these investments are expected to generate thousands of high-value jobs and enhance Malaysia's position as a trusted regional hub for digital services. "These projects are creating meaningful, gainful employment for Malaysians, enabling greater digitalisation for businesses and deliver long-term benefits for the rakyat and the nation as a whole," he said. Beyond the Klang Valley, momentum is also building across the country. Johor and Cyberjaya remain leading clusters, but newer locations such as Port Dickson as well as Sabah and Sarawak are quickly emerging. In Sabah, the upcoming Tier III Borneo Data Centre in Kota Kinabalu is expected to boost regional connectivity, while in Sarawak, projects within the Samalaju Industrial Park and digital infrastructure expansion in Kuching are positioning the state as a rising data economy. "What we are seeing is a nationwide movement - from the peninsula to East Malaysia - driven by investor confidence, government facilitation and real market demand," Anuar said. He added that Malaysia's firm commitment to environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles is also a key factor in attracting responsible, long-term digital investments. The country is aiming for a 40 per cent renewable energy mix by 2035 - a target that resonates with the sustainability expectations of hyperscalers and cloud service providers. As an agency under the Digital Ministry, MDEC works closely with sibling agencies including MyDIGITAL Corporation, CyberSecurity Malaysia, Digital Nasional Bhd, MYNIC, the National Digital Department and the Department of Personal Data Protection to ensure that Malaysia's digital infrastructure development is consistently aligned with national priorities. "Our collective efforts ensure Malaysia's infrastructure strategy remains aligned with cybersecurity, regulatory and talent development goals," said Anuar. While acknowledging challenges around power readiness, land provisioning, regulatory speed and talent supply, Anuar said Malaysia's long-standing culture of partnership and adaptability will continue to be a competitive advantage. "The infrastructure we build today will determine our competitiveness tomorrow. It is essential that we move forward with purpose, clarity and shared resolve," he said. Meanwhile, event organiser Trade pass director Praveen Venu commended the government for creating a stable, investor-friendly climate that continues to attract high-value digital infrastructure projects into the region. "Malaysia has positioned itself exceptionally well under the Madani government's leadership. The clarity of its digital roadmap, commitment to ESG principles and willingness to work hand-in-hand with industry players are exactly what global investors look for," he said. "As an international company, we are proud to host DCCI 2025 in Kuala Lumpur where conversations have moved beyond growth to encompass sustainable, inclusive progress that benefits the entire region," said Praveen.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BDI's R1.5b must be catalyst, not a wastage
LETTERS: The RM1.5 billion Business Digitalisation Initiative (BDI) by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) stands as a transformative opportunity to propel Malaysia's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) into the digital era. However, for this ambitious investment to truly create a digitised society and deliver long-term national benefits, it must be executed in an organised and systematic business manner. Malaysia's MSMEs are vital to the nation's economy, yet over 60 per cent remain at a basic level of digital adoption, with most lacking advanced technological integration. While the BDI's scale and intent are commendable, simply distributing funds or focusing on technology adoption for its own sake risks inefficiency and wasted potential. A technology-first approach, without clear business objectives, often leads to operational silos and mismatched solutions that do not address the real challenges MSMEs face-market access, customer acquisition, and sustainable revenue growth. Technology should not be seen as an end goal, but as an enabler of business transformation. Its true value emerges when it is embedded within comprehensive business strategies that solve pressing problems and unlock new opportunities. For MSMEs, this means leveraging digital tools to streamline operations, meet customer expectations, and integrate into broader supply chains-delivering on time, at optimal cost, and with high quality. Many digitalisation efforts focus on surface-level solutions like e-commerce platforms or online marketing, often overlooking the fundamentals of business process improvement and capacity building. When digital initiatives are driven by technical features rather than actual business needs, MSMEs risk adopting systems that look advanced but fail to generate meaningful impact. To ensure the RM1.5 billion achieves its intended outcomes, the grant must be administered through a phased, business-centric framework, with the following core components identified: Phase 1: Diagnostics and Targeting: Conduct nationwide assessments to identify MSMEs' core challenges, especially in customer acquisition and market access. Target strategic sectors and map out process improvements, capacity building, and regulatory barriers that hinder MSME participation in larger supply chains. Phase 2: Tailored Digital Solutions: Allocate funding only where MSMEs have clearly defined business challenges that digital solutions can address. Enhance grant mechanisms to support meaningful participation in digital marketplaces, including customer support, social media integration, and B2B supply chain systems. Phase 3: Measured, Scalable Implementation: Roll out sector-specific, incremental digital adoption based on MSME needs. Establish robust monitoring systems to track not just adoption rates, but actual business outcomes-growth, productivity, and competitiveness. The BDI's strength lies in its "whole-of-nation" approach, leveraging public-private partnerships with financial institutions, digital banks, P2P lenders, and local service providers. This collaborative model ensures MSMEs have access to comprehensive support-funding, digital tools, and capacity-building initiatives-tailored to their transformation journey. Accountability is crucial. Every ringgit must be tied to measurable improvements in business growth, market access, and long-term competitiveness. Transparent metrics and ongoing evaluation will ensure the initiative remains focused on real outcomes, not just digital adoption statistics. A blanket, unsystematic approach to digitalisation risks squandering resources and missing the opportunity for real economic transformation, Malaysia is always known for this kind of wastages. Thus, the BDI must be more than a subsidy scheme; it must be a catalyst for sustainable, inclusive growth. By deploying the RM1.5 billion in a structured, business-driven manner, Malaysia can empower its MSMEs to thrive in the digital economy and lay the foundation for a truly digitised society-one where technology serves as a powerful enabler of prosperity for all. In summary, the RM1.5 billion grant must be managed with discipline, guided by business needs, and anchored in accountability. Only then can it deliver the long-term vision of a dynamic, competitive, and digitised Malaysia. Managing Director
