Kuala lumpur: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) clearly emphasises technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), in line with the government’s push to accelerate the country’s digital transformation, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. He said one of the key priorities highlighted by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is the development of the AI Nation Framework, which aims to fully leverage the country’s 5G network to create digital solutions, including smart city initiatives using existing data.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 13MP also emphasises ‘data commission’. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the concept of a data bank is closely linked to digital trust, among other related areas. Gobind told reporters after launching the 5G Enterprise and AI City Grant that these steps are seen as supporting the aspiration to achieve AI nation status in the near future.
He stated that this initiative will be featured at the upcoming Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), scheduled for September 17-19, which will serve as a platform to showcase Malaysia’s smart city transformation and foster collaboration among city leaders, innovators, and digital solution providers.
Leveraging world-class 5G connectivity, the minister mentioned that Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) have been tasked with leading the AI Cities initiative, which builds upon and complements the Smart Cities programme under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government.
Gobind expressed hope that these efforts have – and will continue to – lay the groundwork for real, actionable innovation. By aligning strategic leadership with on-the-ground execution, national initiatives can translate into meaningful local impact. The grants awarded today are a direct outcome of this alignment – where policy meets purpose, and vision meets implementation.
The grant was awarded to 14 recipients, comprising universities, companies, and local authorities. Gobind stated that the selected proposals under the Digital Ministry’s grant programme reflect a strong convergence of innovation, national priorities, and digital transformation, covering sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and education. These projects harness AI and 5G to address real-world challenges.
Importantly, he noted that many of the solutions are designed to be scalable and replicable across industries and geographies, ranging from autonomous drone corridors to AI-powered dashboards and intelligent transport systems – providing blueprints for broader transformation.
The initiatives also demonstrate a commitment to empowering small and medium enterprises and public institutions, ensuring innovation reaches grassroots communities rather than remaining confined to large corporations.