KUALA LUMPUR, April 27, 2026 — Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim today officiated the launch of Huawei’s AI Lab and Innovation Centre at The Exchange 106 in TRX, Kuala Lumpur, hailing it as a major milestone in Malaysia’s push to become a leader in artificial intelligence (AI) rather than just a user of the technology.
The new facility — Huawei’s first AI Lab and Innovation Centre outside China — spans 13,638 square feet and will serve the wider Asia-Pacific region. It will showcase the company’s latest digital and energy transformation solutions, promote innovation and ecosystem development, and strengthen collaboration between industry and education stakeholders to train more Malaysian AI talent.
In his keynote address and subsequent post on X, Anwar stressed that Malaysia must move beyond merely adopting AI to actively creating and shaping it.
“Peluncuran Huawei AI Lab and Innovation Centre hari ini bukan sekadar lambang kemajuan teknologi, tetapi manifestasi kesungguhan Malaysia untuk mengangkat darjatnya sebagai negara peneraju dalam era kecerdasan buatan,” he said.
We can no longer be comfortable as users; instead, we must rise as creators and direction-setters, with the courage to build our own strength and fully harness local talent.”
Anwar warned that technological progress without guiding values could undermine true development. He called for justice, compassion (ihsan), and social balance to remain at the core of AI development so that the technology benefits all of humanity and does not widen existing inequalities.
“The MADANI government will continue to ensure this digital transformation is inclusive and people-centric, bridging the gap between urban and rural areas, opening opportunities for local talent to flourish, and guaranteeing that every layer of society benefits fairly and equitably,” he added.
Anwar also congratulated Huawei on its 25th anniversary in Malaysia and thanked the company for its continued confidence and investment in the country. While Malaysia remains open to global partnerships, he made clear that the nation will set its own rules and direction.
“The rules will be made in Malaysia,” he emphasised, underscoring the importance of sovereignty and national values in AI development for a more advanced, sovereign, and dignified future.
The launch reflects the MADANI administration’s commitment to a digital economy anchored in equity, social justice, and inclusive growth.
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