PENANG, 29 April 2025 – Malaysia’s digital economy is making significant strides, further solidifying the nation’s position as a leading technology hub within ASEAN. From January to April 2025, total approved investments under the Malaysia Digital (MD) initiative reached a remarkable RM16.2 billion, underscoring strong global investor confidence and positioning the country for sustained digital-led growth.
The announcement was made today by Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo, during the official launch of the Ministry of Digital’s Northern Regional Office in Penang. The investments are expected to generate approximately 6,480 high-value jobs across various digital sectors, reinforcing Malaysia’s strategic focus on innovation, talent development, and inclusive economic transformation.
“These investments mark a new phase in our digital transformation journey—one that is focused not only on economic gain but also on empowering Malaysians with quality employment and future-ready skills,” said YB Gobind Singh Deo. “As we nurture a new generation of innovators and digital professionals, we are laying the groundwork for long-term national growth.”
Among the 148 companies granted MD status during the period, Artificial Intelligence (AI) firms led the way, comprising 27% of approvals, followed by Data Centre & Cloud subsectors (23%) and Global Business Services (11.5%). This distribution reflects the country’s expanding digital ecosystem and increasing emphasis on frontier technologies.
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO, Anuar Fariz Fadzil, highlighted that the nation’s robust infrastructure, skilled talent pool, and progressive regulatory frameworks have been key to attracting and retaining high-impact digital investments.
“This surge in investment is a testament to the growing trust that global investors place in Malaysia’s digital future. Under the Malaysia Digital initiative, we are going beyond capability-building to foster a national culture of innovation that drives sustainable, inclusive growth,” said Anuar.
In conjunction with the Northern Regional Office launch, MDEC hosted its MD Open Day—a platform designed to strengthen public-private collaboration, accelerate innovation, and highlight key initiatives that enable businesses and communities to thrive in a digital-first world.
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MDEC and Digital Penang, marking a strategic partnership aimed at promoting the adoption of next-generation technologies such as Big Data, AI, Web3, cybersecurity, and blockchain. The collaboration also emphasizes talent development, mentorship, funding access, and support for startups and SMEs seeking international market reach.
“As Malaysia Digital expands, our focus remains on equitable digital progress—ensuring every state and community benefits from this transformation,” said Anuar. “Initiatives like the MD Open Day and regional partnerships allow us to localize national strategies and deliver measurable impact on the ground.”
Dignitaries present at the event included Deputy Chief Minister of Penang II, YB Jagdeep Singh Deo A/L Karpal Singh, EXCO for Infrastructure, Transport, and Digital, YB Tuan Zairil Khir Johari, MDEC Chairman YB Tuan Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh, along with various representatives from MD-status companies and industry stakeholders.
For more information about Malaysia Digital and MDEC’s digital investment initiatives, please visit https://mdec.my/malaysiadigital.
