Rural Malaysia is quickly emerging as a hub of digital innovation and sustainability. At the Mega Karnival 3 Dimensi (MK3D) 2025, held from 30 July to 3 August at MITEC, Kuala Lumpur, over 2.1 million visitors and over 1,000 entrepreneurs joined in a record-breaking event. The showcase highlighted how technology and green practices are transforming local communities.
The five-day expo, organised by FELDA, the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development (KKDW), and the Ministry of Entrepreneur and Cooperative Development (KUSKOP), also reinforced rural Malaysia’s growing role in the nation’s digital-green economy.
Financing the Underserved
For decades, rural entrepreneurs struggled to access financing due to distance and logistical barriers. However, new fintech platforms are closing that gap. In fact, data from the Securities Commission Malaysia shows that the alternative financing market hit RM1.7 billion in 2024, a 25.5% increase driven by government co-investment programmes.
Sustainability in Action
Sustainability took centre stage at MK3D. Exhibitors introduced carbon-neutral business models, energy-efficient systems, and circular-economy practices that align with Malaysia’s Net Zero 2050 goals.
One of the key highlights was ICT Zone Asia Berhad’s Carbon Neutral Computing Services (CNCS), a MyHijau-certified initiative that merges IT rentals with carbon offsets.
“Technology should be affordable, practical and responsible,” said Tommy Lim, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of ICT Zone Asia Berhad. “With CNCS, our goal is to make low-carbon computing accessible to entrepreneurs everywhere — including rural Malaysia — so adoption supports both growth and sustainability.”
AI and Cloud for Small Businesses
Moreover, artificial intelligence and cloud computing are reshaping how rural SMEs operate. Companies such as Mampu AI and Big Domain rolled out digital solutions for inventory tracking, customer analytics and workflow efficiency. These tools, once available only to big corporations, now empower small businesses to compete more effectively.
Policy and National Goals
At the policy level, the momentum supports Malaysia’s Madani Economy framework and Hari Digital NRES 2025, both of which stress sustainability-led digitalisation. Additionally, ICT Zone Asia Berhad presented its CNCS solution at Hari Digital NRES 2025, showing how green ICT can strengthen public sector adoption.
As Malaysia marks Merdeka, the message is clear: independence today is about more than sovereignty. It also means ensuring that every community, including rural entrepreneurs, thrives in a digital, sustainable, and globally competitive future.
