Latest news with #MalaysiaDigitalEconomyBlueprint

Barnama
11 hours ago
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia Can Match Global Standards In Address System
Chief Technical Officer of Geoscape Australia, Joseph Abhayaratna, speaks to Bernama during the National Address Conference 2025 at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur today. KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has the potential to develop a more efficient National Address System (NAS), comparable to those of other developed nations such as Australia, according to Geoscape Australia's Chief Technical Officer, Joseph Abhayaratna. He said this was due to the shared characteristics in terms of administrative structure, and technical challenges in developing the system, which was aimed to serve as the main reference for managing addresses nationwide. "Both countries have multiple states and territorial jurisdictions, each with its own address databases and lists. So, I believe we share a similar starting point. "Along with the similar challenges we faced in urban addressing, I believe what we have been able to achieve in Australia is also applicable to the Malaysian context," he told reporters when met at the National Address Conference 2025, here today. Prior to this, Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has essentially agreed to implement the NAS during the Digital Economy and Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) Council meeting on June 24 last year. Fahmi said the system has also been identified as a 'needle mover' under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint and the National 4IR Policy, aimed at realising the government's aspiration to make Malaysia a high-income nation driven by digitalisation and a regional leader in the digital economy. Abhayaratna noted that Australia's NAS, developed by Geoscape, had contributed over AUD 1.4 billion in economic value, establishing it as one of the country's key national assets. 'It's a very conservative estimate, but it gives you a sense of the kind of value you can derive from this. I believe these kinds of drivers, and what we've been able to accomplish in Australia, show what can be achieved under the right circumstances with proper planning,' he said. He also praised Malaysia's efforts through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) in developing the NAS as a unified and authoritative address system officially endorsed by the government.


The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Malaysia to host Smart City Expo KL 2025 in September
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will host the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25) this September, marking its first international event focused on smart cities and positioning the country as a key regional hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven urban development. Scheduled to take place from Sept 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), the expo is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and over 10,000 visitors. SCEKL25 will be the first South-East Asian edition of the globally renowned Smart City Expo World Congress. It is spearheaded by the Digital Ministry through its agencies, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the event will serve as a strategic platform for technology providers and AI-driven smart city solution players, reinforcing Malaysia's leadership in regional digital innovation. "At its core, SCEKL25 is about accelerating a new urban vision - one that is green, efficient, and inclusive, with the rakyat at the heart of every innovation,' he said in a statement on Tuesday (July 15). According to Gobind, the expo supports Malaysia's aspirations under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, aligns with regional efforts through the Asean Smart Cities Network, and complements the country's ambition to become a Smart Nation by 2040. MDEC, under the Digital Ministry, is currently spearheading AI Cities initiatives through targeted pilot projects in selected areas across the country. Meanwhile MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil in the statement said the expo will showcase Malaysia's transformation into a digitally connected society, highlighting projects such as predictive traffic systems in Penang, smart traffic optimisation in Kuala Lumpur, and AI-powered geospatial solutions in Sabah. "Our smart cities will be rakyat-first and planet-conscious, delivering faster and more adaptive public services. With robust digital infrastructure to drive inclusive growth, startups and SMEs will be able to scale beyond borders,' he said. DNB CEO Datuk Azman Ismail added that hosting the event would bring strategic benefits to Malaysia, including boosting economic growth through business tourism and attracting foreign investment. "SCEKL25 will elevate Malaysia's global profile in smart city innovation, while driving economic growth through business tourism and strategic foreign investment,' he said. Held under the theme 'AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future', the expo will feature cutting-edge technologies, infrastructure solutions, and future-ready mobility systems aimed at building inclusive and resilient urban centres. For more information, visit - Bernama

Barnama
a day ago
- Business
- Barnama
Malaysia To Host Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 In September
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- Malaysia will host the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25) this September, marking its first international event focused on smart cities and positioning the country as a key regional hub for Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven urban development. Scheduled to take place from Sept 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), the expo is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates and over 10,000 visitors. SCEKL25 will be the first Southeast Asian edition of the globally renowned Smart City Expo World Congress. It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital through its agencies, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB). Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the event will serve as a strategic platform for technology providers and AI-driven smart city solution players, reinforcing Malaysia's leadership in regional digital innovation. 'At its core, SCEKL25 is about accelerating a new urban vision — one that is green, efficient, and inclusive, with the rakyat at the heart of every innovation,' he said in a statement today. According to Gobind, the expo supports Malaysia's aspirations under the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, aligns with regional efforts through the ASEAN Smart Cities Network, and complements the country's ambition to become a Smart Nation by 2040. MDEC, under the Ministry of Digital, is currently spearheading AI Cities initiatives through targeted pilot projects in selected areas across the country. Meanwhile MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil in the statement said the expo will showcase Malaysia's transformation into a digitally connected society, highlighting projects such as predictive traffic systems in Penang, smart traffic optimisation in Kuala Lumpur, and AI-powered geospatial solutions in Sabah. 'Our smart cities will be rakyat-first and planet-conscious, delivering faster and more adaptive public services. With robust digital infrastructure to drive inclusive growth, startups and SMEs will be able to scale beyond borders,' he said.


The Sun
29-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
MDEC: AI Cities will be cornerstone of Malaysia's digital future
KUALA LUMPUR: As Malaysia advances in its digital evolution, artificial intelligence-driven cities are taking centre stage – serving as dynamic hubs to attract investment, foster groundbreaking innovation and create equitable economic opportunities for all. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil shared the agency's blueprint for transforming Malaysia from a regional technology hub into a globally respected digital economy over the next decade. 'Looking 10 years ahead, we see a Malaysia where AI integrates seamlessly into daily life, enabling equitable access to tools and opportunities. This future is about making cities more sustainable, citizen-centric, and competitive,' he told SunBiz. Anuar Fariz said this vision entails the responsible integration of AI, providing predictive and efficient public services and creating thriving smart cities that are both sustainable and people-focused. 'Startups and SMEs will scale beyond borders, supported by robust infrastructure that drives inclusive, digital-led prosperity.' Building on MDEC's mandate to catalyse high-value digital growth and position Malaysia as a regional technology leader, Anuar Fariz said, AI Cities will be the cornerstone of the transformation. 'It will unite digital policy, innovation and public service to drive inclusive, competitive and sustainable growth, laying the foundation for Malaysia's vision of becoming an 'AI Nation',' he said. Anuar Fariz said this vision not only elevates Malaysia's leadership in AI development and adoption but also creates a scalable model for Asean, fostering cross-border collaboration, knowledge exchange, and regional digital resilience. 'Through partnerships across the public, private, academic sectors, and the rakyat, Malaysia aims to amplify its impact across Southeast Asia's digital economy.' As part of its AI Cities initiative, MDEC is already implementing targeted, high-impact smart city pilots in selected locations, starting with Putrajaya. 'In Putrajaya, we are applying parametric modelling to simulate real-world urban scenarios. This allows us to test and refine planning decisions, improve service delivery, and optimise resource use,' Anuar Fariz said. He added that data from Putrajaya's Urban Observatory is being used to develop an interactive AI-powered digital avatar capable of delivering real-time analytics for city planning and citizen engagement. MDEC is also working closely with the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) to ensure that Malaysia's AI growth is underpinned by strong governance and public trust. 'Trust is the foundation of digital adoption. Together with NAIO, we are developing a regulatory brief to guide the responsible use of AI, one that balances innovation with transparency, ethics and accountability,' Anuar Fariz said. These initiatives support Malaysia's broader goals outlined in the Fourth National Physical Plan, Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint, Asean Smart Cities Network and the upcoming 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030). Anuar Fariz said MDEC's goal is to catalyse future-facing, collaborative ecosystems where technology serves both people and progress. 'By embedding intelligence into how our cities are designed, managed and experienced, we're not only building a smarter Malaysia, we're laying the foundation for a resilient, inclusive and competitive digital nation that can lead the region,' he added. MDEC's vision will take centre stage at the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), which will be held from Sept 17 to 19 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Themed 'AI Cities: Shaping Our Digital Future', the event will serve as a platform for regional dialogue, innovation exchange and policy alignment with Malaysia's Asean Chairmanship this year. 'As the first Southeast Asian edition of the globally renowned Smart City Expo World Congress, SCEKL25 will position Malaysia as a central hub for smart city development and digital leadership in the region,' Anuar Fariz said. The expo will bring together more than 2,000 delegates and 10,000 visitors, including global experts, city leaders and technology providers across sectors. The agenda is built around four strategic pillars – AI cities, sustainable and resilient cities, digital entrepreneurship and economic development, and community empowerment through digital solutions. SCEKL25 will also feature keynote sessions by renowned global figures, including Dr David Hanson, creator of Sophia the Robot, urban strategist Dr Alfonso Vegara and futurist Penny Wong, among others. 'These conversations will help shape the next decade of digital city-building, not just in Malaysia, but across Asean,' said Anuar Fariz.

The Star
17-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
RAI Portal gives non-Malaysians easier access to government services
SEPANG: In line with its commitment to spearheading digital transformation, the National Digital Department has launched the RAI Portal, a dedicated section under the MyGovernment Portal aimed at meeting the needs of non-citizens. The RAI Portal is developed as a digital one-stop centre, aligning information and services with the specific purposes of its users. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the portal symbolises the country's commitment to positioning digitalisation as a catalyst for inclusive development. "As a digital one-stop centre, the portal was developed for non-citizens intending to deal with the Malaysian government, whether for travel, education or investment purposes," he said during the launch of the portal here on Tuesday (June 17). The portal, accessible via compiles information from various government agencies, including those related to immigration, transport and health. Gobind expressed hope that all relevant agencies would continue to enhance the portal's content and strengthen cooperation based on feedback received from users. Information and services on the portal are organised into six main clusters, namely: Enter (entry information to Malaysia); Visit (tourist guides and visas); Study (educational opportunities); Work (employment and permit information); Live (daily services and life in Malaysia) and Invest (investment opportunities and government incentives). Meanwhile, the department's director-general Nik Zalbiha Nik Mat said the portal's launch reflected the government's continued commitment to mainstreaming digitalisation in the public sector, in line with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (RTEDM) and the Fourth Industrial Revolution Policy (D4IRN). "Under the RTEDM, one of the key thrusts is to establish a digital government that prioritises efficiency, reliability and inclusiveness. This portal represents a tangible step towards ensuring the government is not only responsive to public needs but also proactive in driving innovation and promoting data openness," she said. Nik Zalbiha said D4IRN, on the other hand, emphasised the adoption of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics and the Internet of Things (IoT). She added that the portal has been developed in line with IR4.0 principles, including system integration across agencies, smart technology adoption and a customer-centric design. Nik Zalbiha said the portal would also serve as a key platform to promote Malaysia on the global stage and strengthen the country's position as a preferred destination for international tourists, investors and talent. – Bernama