PUTRAJAYA, 11 October 2026 – The Ministry of Digital has welcomed the MADANI Government’s commitment under the Fifth MADANI Budget, themed “Reaching for the Sky, Rooted in the Earth,” tabled by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 9 October, to drive the nation’s digital transformation towards becoming an AI Nation by 2030 based on an inclusive Malaysia Digital framework.
Under the budget, the ministry receives special focus to strengthen the national digital ecosystem, develop local tech talent and build a future-ready workforce.
Key measures include strengthening AI Malaysia Berhad with emphasis on high-skilled talent development, digital infrastructure and an efficient, safe AI governance ecosystem, aimed at producing 200,000 skilled AI workers.
MDEC funds will help 4,000 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) adopt AI capabilities and automate operations, while training and certifying 5,000 AI professionals.
The DE Rantau Pass period is also extended, with existing holders who have reached the two-year maximum now eligible for an additional two years to live and work remotely in Malaysia.
Pondok school digitalisation will proceed through collaboration between JAKIM and MDEC, providing devices and digital skills training to teachers and students at more than 300 pondok schools nationwide.
Digital skills initiatives are expanded with an additional 100,000 free AI subscriptions including popular applications such as ChatGPT. The Platform Rakyat Digital will offer free access to over 16,000 digital courses and Professional Certificates with Coursera.
The ministry said these measures translate the budget’s philosophy by placing Malaysia at the forefront of global high technology while ensuring no one is left behind, and it stands ready to accelerate the digital transformation agenda towards a robust AI Nation by 2030.
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