Kuala lumpur: Malaysia aims to rise as a leading Asian economy with its own identity rooted in Eastern culture and wisdom, ultimately becoming a high-income nation and one of the world’s top 30 economies by 2030. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated that to achieve this aspiration, the country must accelerate its transition to a value-creation-based economy and cultivate a culture of innovation.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Anwar emphasized that Malaysia must transform from being merely a consumer to becoming a leader in technology and a producer of world-class ‘Made by Malaysia’ products and services. He outlined this vision while presenting the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) 2026-2030 in Parliament.

Anwar underscored the importance of strengthening the country’s competitiveness by focusing on the development of local technology and digital transformation. He highlighted the generational opportunity presented by artificial intelligence (AI) and stressed that Malaysia must not miss the chance to lead the Southeast Asian economy in AI, digital technology, and the renewable energy industry, with the aim of becoming a globally influential player.

The Prime Minister further noted that adopting local technological innovation will be a priority to stimulate economic growth. This will be particularly pursued through the development of strategic digital assets such as AI, data analytics, and digital government systems. Anwar stated that these initiatives are crucial for strengthening the nation’s economic competitiveness and developing a more sustainable and high-impact industry, aligning with the ambition of becoming an AI-driven nation.

To fully capitalize on these opportunities, Anwar announced that the National AI Action Plan 2030 will act as a catalyst for local talent development, research, and technology commercialization to support the widespread adoption of AI.