“Digitalisation and AI are key to shaping a sustainable and inclusive socio-economic future, and the Cloud is our gateway to that promising horizon,” Malaysia’s Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) Minister, Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said at the Google Cloud Malaysia Day event held at Hilton KL Sentral today (June 26).
Additionally, he emphasised the transformative impact of cloud technologies on the Malaysian economy, particularly in terms of productivity and high-skilled job creation.
“Cloud technologies have significantly enhanced productivity and created high-skilled jobs in Malaysia,” Tengku Zafrul said.
He noted that industries leveraging cloud-based solutions have seen increased efficiency and innovation, streamlining operations, automating tasks, and gaining valuable insights from data.
The manufacturing sector, he explained, has optimised supply chains and improved production efficiency through cloud-enabled technologies.
Similarly, the healthcare industry has benefited from cloud technology in improving patient care, managing electronic medical records, and facilitating telemedicine services.
These advancements drive productivity and create demand for high-skilled professionals in areas like data analytics, software development, and cloud architecture.
Malaysia’s Operating Landscape as a Technology Enabler
Tengku Zafrul outlined Malaysia’s industrial transformation agenda, focusing on increasing economic complexity and rapidly advancing technology to make Malaysia digitally vibrant.
Specific mission-based projects include creating global IC design champions in electric vehicles, renewable energy, and AI, as well as attracting advanced wafer fabrication companies to Malaysia.
Projects such as transforming 3,000 smart factories and establishing Malaysia as a hub for Generative AI require robust cloud-based enablers.
“Google’s cutting-edge cloud technologies are crucial in helping Malaysia achieve our key missions, including automating, digitalising, and robotising business operations,” he said.
He also highlighted the importance of tech investments that promote inclusive socio-economic development and noted that embracing technology should start in the public sector to streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance public service delivery.
A prime example is the Ministry of Education’s DELIMa platform on Google Cloud, which provides a unified digital learning platform.
AI will enable data-driven decision-making and personalised citizen services, while Google’s cybersecurity protocols will safeguard sensitive information and protect critical infrastructure.
Cloud Empowers Small Businesses to Compete Globally
Tengku Zafrul emphasised that advanced technologies like Cloud and AI empower Malaysian businesses, especially SMEs, to compete globally.
The scalability and agility of the cloud allow homegrown startups to expand their reach beyond Malaysia, enabling smaller enterprises to leverage resources previously available only to larger corporations.
“Access to such enabling capacity levels the playing field, encouraging SMEs to expand into new markets and forge international partnerships,” he said. This aligns with the fourth key mission of NIMP, ensuring economic security and inclusivity.
Tengku Zafrul warmly welcomed Google’s recent $2 billion USD data center investment into Malaysia, noting that only 11 countries globally have received such large-scale investments from Google.
He highlighted that Google’s presence will create thousands of high-skilled jobs, accelerate digital transformation, and support Malaysia’s positioning as a tech hub in Southeast Asia. This investment also strengthens the foundation for embracing cloud technology to drive innovation and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the Malaysian economy.
