SHANGHAI, July 30 2025 – Malaysia has solidified its position as a regional leader in digital transformation following a high-level mission to China led by Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. The visit, held alongside the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2025 in Shanghai, secured RM2.97 billion in digital investments from major Chinese tech firms, promising over 6,800 high-value digital jobs nationwide.
The investments, from companies including Baidu (via Wisetech), Tsing Digital, iSoftStone, Inspur Group, China Mobile International, and China Unicom, will drive the development of AI-powered innovation hubs, intelligent customer service centers, advanced AI platforms, and next-generation digital infrastructure. These initiatives align with the Malaysia Digital (MD) initiative, enhancing the nation’s tech ecosystem and global digital competitiveness, with new opportunities emerging in Selangor, Johor, and Perak.
Minister Gobind urged Chinese firms to establish more innovation centers in Malaysia, emphasizing the country’s goal to become ASEAN’s digital innovation hub. He highlighted plans for technology-driven ecosystems, including autonomous mobility platforms and a national command center, to support smart city development and advanced digital governance.
Gobind stressed the growing role of AI agents—intelligent systems capable of autonomous decision-making—in revolutionizing public services and industries. He underscored the need for public trust in these systems, advocating for AI Certification frameworks to ensure ethical, safe, and culturally aligned technology deployment. Malaysia will also launch the ASEAN AI Safety Network during its 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship to harmonize regional AI governance.
To keep pace with rapid digital advancements, Gobind called for new legislation to regulate next-generation technologies, protect users, and foster innovation. He emphasized the importance of investing in digital infrastructure to support emerging technologies like autonomous mobility and real-time decision intelligence, critical for future-ready smart cities and responsive governance.
The mission underscores Malaysia’s commitment to a secure, inclusive, and innovation-driven digital economy. With strengthened international partnerships and a bold vision, Malaysia is poised to shape a smarter, more resilient digital future.