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Crucial for Malaysia to strengthen digital capabilities, says MCA president
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia must match its growing data infrastructure with stronger digital capabilities to stay competitive in the global economy, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president stressed that the country can no longer rely solely on the rapid expansion of data centres and must now prioritise AI development, content creation and the cultivation of local digital talent.
'Accelerating artificial intelligence and building a skilled digital workforce are essential if Malaysia is to remain relevant in a fast-evolving digital landscape,' he said.
Malaysia's businesses are poised to strengthen their digital trade ties with China through deeper participation in the upcoming Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo (GDTE) in Hangzhou — a move expected to open up broader opportunities for Malaysian enterprises seeking digital growth.
The GDTE, China's only national-level international trade exhibition dedicated exclusively to digital trade, will be held from Sept 25 to 29, 2025, in Zhejiang province.
Dr Wee, who attended last year's edition, noted that this year, Malaysian local businesses are encouraged to adopt "new retail" and digital business models that integrate online and offline operations, enabling them to leverage digital tools to expand into regional markets.
'Our goal is to move beyond isolated participation and towards systemic engagement — from individual efforts to integrated platforms,' he said at the Malaysian launch of the GDTE promotion, co-organised by MCA and the Zhejiang Provincial Economic and Trade delegation.
Since its launch in 2022, the event has attracted over 3,500 companies and international organisations from 123 countries, spanning frontier sectors such as AI, smart logistics, e-commerce, digital health, and semiconductor technology.
Dr Wee said that Malaysian companies have already played an active role in past editions of the expo, including as buyers, exhibitors, and online collaborators with Chinese firms.
He stressed that the global economy has fully entered the digital age, and Malaysian industries, from manufacturing and exports to services and innovation, must assess whether they are adequately prepared.
'This expo provides a national-level platform for Malaysian businesses to connect with the Chinese market, learn from its digital progress, and find areas for complementary cooperation, rather than becoming trapped in direct competition,' he said.
'It's about collaboration, learning, and unlocking opportunities in a fast-evolving digital landscape.'
On policy, Dr Wee reaffirmed MCA's commitment to digital development, noting that the party has consistently called for balanced regulation.
Meanwhile, Chen Wen, chief representative of the Zhejiang Representative Office in Singapore and South-East Asia, praised Malaysia as a digital economy pioneer within Asean and citing the country's progress in e-payments, smart logistics, and digital infrastructure.
Chen said Zhejiang Province, home to tech giants such as Alibaba and Hikvision has led China's digital transformation, recording double-digit growth in its digital economy since being designated China's first National Digital Economy Innovation Development Pilot Zone in 2019.
In 2024, bilateral trade between Malaysia and Zhejiang reached US$16.89bil (RM79.38bil), a 14.9% increase from the previous year. As of March 2025, Zhejiang companies had invested in 251 projects in Malaysia, with total approved investments of US$3.03bil (RM14.24bil).
Li Sa, Counsellor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, said the country boasts a strong digital infrastructure, supported by the rapid development of data centres in recent years. Malaysia's active efforts in fostering an innovative ecosystem also point to a promising market outlook, she added.
She expressed confidence that China-Malaysia collaboration in the digital space will advance rapidly, and encouraged Malaysian enterprises to take part in the Fourth Global Digital Trade Expo, where they can engage with partners from China and around the world to exchange ideas, forge partnerships, and explore future trends in digital trade.
'China's development will not crowd out neighbouring markets—it will create an ever-expanding consumer base for them,' she said.
She also extended an invitation for Malaysia to attend the upcoming China International Import Expo (CIIE) in Shanghai this November, noting that China is likely the only country to host such an event specifically aimed at balancing bilateral trade with its partners.
