Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia cannot rely on outdated legislation to address the challenges posed by rapid technological advancements and must instead pursue reforms to foster greater opportunities for international collaboration, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. During a media briefing on ‘Unlocking ASEAN’s Digital Future: Driving Inclusive Growth and Global Competitiveness’ at the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Summit 2025, the Prime Minister underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that legislation keeps pace with global developments.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Prime Minister emphasized the need to adapt legislation by taking cues from global examples and implementing necessary changes. He highlighted the advantage of having a two-thirds majority in Parliament which aids in the swift enactment of policies. Anwar, who also serves as the Finance Minister, expressed the importance of effective collaboration and policy clarity for fast-paced implementation.
The session was moderated by the WEF Head of Media Development and Planning, Dai Di, and included other prominent speakers like Worldwide Managing Partner of Bain and Company, Christophe De Vusser, and WEF’s Head of Regional Agenda for Asia-Pacific, Joo-Ok Lee. Addressing the potential of ASEAN, Anwar called for member leaders to focus on crafting policies that address the rapid technological advancements.
Anwar pointed out the necessity of humility in acknowledging the challenges posed by new technologies. He called for collaboration with key players, including companies and states, emphasizing that solutions should not be prescriptive but rather involve gathering diverse inputs. Anwar advocated for the creation of an ecosystem that includes infrastructure, research, and partnerships with universities to address these challenges.
He stressed that ASEAN leaders should extend their collaboration to the private sector, recognizing the limitations of governments and the need for a cooperative approach. Anwar is leading the Malaysian delegation on a three-day working visit to attend the WEF Annual Summit 2025, marking his first participation since assuming office in 2022.
The summit, themed ‘Collaboration for the Intelligent Age’, focuses on the role of emerging technologies and innovations in addressing global economic issues. The high-level discussions, which began yesterday and continue until January 24, aim to explore the contributions of these technologies.