Johor bahru: Johor must position itself as a leader in the Orange Economy, encompassing creative and cultural industries such as media, design, technology, and the arts, to drive innovation, high-value jobs, and exports, said Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi. Speaking at the ASEAN Digital Content Summit (ADCS) 2025 here today, Onn Hafiz emphasized the state’s ambitions as part of national efforts under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP), which identifies the Orange Economy as a key pillar of Malaysia’s future growth.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Onn Hafiz stated that the Orange Economy is no longer on the margins but at the very heart of national competitiveness. He highlighted Johor’s progress in the blue and green economies through initiatives such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) but stressed the transformative potential of the Orange Economy.
Onn Hafiz referenced South Korea as a benchmark, noting that its cultural content industry is worth over US$113 billion, employing more than 600,000 people and generating exports exceeding US$12 billion annually. He cited the global popularity of BTS, valued at nearly US$3.7 billion per year and creating around 8,000 jobs, as an example.
Japan’s anime industry, valued at US$19 billion and projected to double by 2028 with an estimated 800 million global fans, was also mentioned as a promising model. Onn Hafiz noted that Asian creative content, from K-dramas and K-pop to Japanese anime, has become a mainstream global force, rivalling Hollywood and Europe in audience, revenue, and cultural influence.
He highlighted ASEAN’s emergence as a creative powerhouse, leveraging its young population, digital connectivity, and rich cultural heritage to shape new growth frontiers. Malaysia is already positioning itself as a leader in this sector, with creative industries contributing significantly to GDP and employment in film, design, gaming, and digital content.
Onn Hafiz concluded by emphasizing Johor’s role as Malaysia’s southern gateway and a vibrant hub of talent and innovation. By investing in storytellers, designers, animators, and musicians, Johor can build a creative ecosystem providing high-value jobs and exporting its identity globally, akin to Korea and Japan.
ADCS 2025 brings together over 3,000 industry professionals from Asia, the United States, and Europe, strengthening ASEAN’s digital ecosystem and positioning the region as a global creative powerhouse. The three-day summit, officiated by Onn Hafiz, features more than 10 country pavilions, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Japan, Cambodia, and Vietnam, 50 visionary speakers, and over 100 innovative exhibitors.