SALUTATION
1. Ms Judy Wong
Country Manager (Malaysia), Tencent
2. Yang Berusaha Tuan Anuar Fariz Fadzil
Chief Executive Officer, MDEC
Tencent APAC Management,
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Salam Perpaduan, Salam Malaysia MADANI and a very good Morning.
1. Today’s occasion arrives at a crucial moment for Malaysia’s digital economy. Over the past two years, we have moved with clarity and purpose to strengthen our position as a regional technology hub, encompassing areas such as data infrastructure and AI policy, digital identity, cybersecurity, payments, and creative content.
2. The work ahead is significant, and our direction is clear. Under Malaysia Madani and RMK-13, we are building an economy powered by innovation and supported by world-class digital infrastructure, strong talent pipelines, and an ecosystem that encourages investment and collaboration.
3. These are not abstract ambitions — under the deliberate design of the MADANI government, we have built this flourishing ecosystem to realize Malaysia’s ultimate goal: to be a leader in innovation and high-value digital work across ASEAN and the entire world. The global competition for investment, talent, and technology is intensifying. We do not intend to sit on the sidelines.
4. At every engagement I’ve had with industry, I’ve emphasised the same point: Malaysia has the ingredients — we are advantageously poised to further our digital economy agenda. What we must do now is ensure that the ecosystem continues to attract investments that fuel our ever-advancing progress toward an emerging technological future.
5. At the Digital Ministry’s core, we are also committed to expanding our digital talent agenda — through university–industry pathways, TVET specialisations, and targeted programmes in AI, cloud, cybersecurity, creative content, and gaming. Malaysia must be a producer of digital talent, not just a consumer of it.
6. These foundations form the backbone of a competitive digital nation. They make Malaysia a place where global companies can innovate and scale, where Malaysians can develop and apply their technical expertise in emerging technologies.
7. Which brings me to today. Tencent has been operating in Malaysia for over a decade. It has been a steady and trusted partner in Malaysia’s growth story. With this new office, they are expanding their commitment, building a 500-person hub. This will create more high-value work for Malaysians. The participants at this morning’s event is a testament to the strong community Tencent has built.
8. For Malaysia, this means more than an office opening. It means investment, job creation, skills development; for Tencent, it means access to talent, innovation, and regional markets. Together, we are advancing a shared vision of digital leadership that benefits the people of Malaysia.
9. Malaysia will serve as one of Tencent’s key international Global Tech, Digital Innovation, and Customer Experience Hubs. This means opportunities for our young talent. I understand that they have a long list of vacancies, and have been working closely with our educational institutions to provide access to our local talent.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
10. The company’s platforms, ranging from games and content services to digital payment interoperability, already play a crucial role in supporting tourism, the creative industries, and digital commerce. These are valuable contributions, but more importantly, they reflect the broader value of having major digital players commit to Malaysia in the long term.
11. We have seen how the interoperability between Weixin Pay and DuitNow QR supports our tourism sector, simplifying payments for millions of overseas visitors and merchants. We have witnessed Malaysian creative talent featured in regional content through WeTV and in esports efforts, such as Honor of Kings, which continue to increase the visibility of our local creators and athletes. We have seen Tencent Cloud’s secure identity and AI tools being adopted by local partners to improve digital onboarding and bolster trust in digital services.
12. I understand that Tencent’s ambitions does not stop there. I am happy to learn that Tencent will be a partner for Visit Malaysia 2026, to encourage a larger number of foreign tourists to come to Malaysia. On e-Sports, Tencent is supporting the showcase of Malaysian culture at this year’s SEA Games closing ceremony, and has its sights to support our hosting of the SEA Games in 2027. Tencent also has plans to work with us and share its expertise in healthy gaming and the development of e-Sports.
13. Malaysia benefits when digital players invest with a long-term view. Tencent is a stellar example. It conveys investors’ confidence, symbolizes strength in the Malaysian digital policy landscape, and, most importantly, ultimately aligns with our national priorities to develop into an artificial intelligence nation by 2030.
14. Today’s launch is more than just an office opening. It signals a shared recognition that Malaysia is becoming a stronger node in the region’s digital landscape — one that global companies can rely on, and one that Malaysians can proudly lead.
15. I ask everyone to join me in congratulating Tencent on this fantastic milestone. The success of Malaysia’s digital transformation and AI adoption is not just the government’s alone — it is a testament to the continual collaboration between the private and public sectors and the ongoing dedication from partners like Tencent to uplift Malaysia and fulfil our digital potential to its fullest.
16. Let this be a stepping stone into a new realm of innovation for Malaysia, as we collectively advance towards an AI-driven nation.
Thank You.
#END#
