PRESS RELEASE
MALAYSIA ACCELERATES DIGITAL FUTURE WITH 5G & AI CITIES GRANT INITIATIVE
KUALA LUMPUR, 13 AUGUST 2025 – The Ministry of Digital today marked a significant milestone in Malaysia’s digital transformation journey with the official handover of the 5G Enterprise & AI Cities Grants to selected enterprises and municipal councils. The handover ceremony, held at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC) and officiated by the Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo, followed a nationwide call-for-entries to source proposals that accelerate 5G- and AI-enabled use cases with high impact to the nation.
In his keynote address, YB Gobind Singh Deo emphasized Malaysia’s bold ambition to become the AI hub of ASEAN, stating that the 5G Enterprise & AI Cities Grants initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to translating digital policy into real-world innovation. “We are not merely adopting AI — we are actively shaping its future,” said the YB Gobind Singh Deo. “These grants reflect a powerful convergence of innovation, national priorities, and digital transformation. They are not just funding projects; they are fuelling a movement toward smarter, safer, and more inclusive futures.”
The grants awarded today stem from a special allocation by the Ministry of Finance to expand Malaysia’s efforts in 5G and AI. The selected proposals exemplify the strategic use of 5G for ultra-reliable, low-latency communication, paired with AI for intelligent decision-making and automation. These solutions span critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and education—demonstrating how technology can be harnessed to solve real-world challenges and deliver measurable impact.
“Today’s ceremony is not just about handing over grants — it is about igniting innovation,” said YBhg. Datuk Azman Ismail, CEO of Digital Nasional Berhad (DNB), in his welcoming remarks. “We are empowering enterprises and municipalities to build smarter, more efficient, and more inclusive communities. These solutions are designed to be scalable and replicable, ensuring that innovation reaches the grassroots where it can make the most difference.”
The AI Cities initiative, led by DNB and MDEC, was also highlighted as a key driver of the grants. This initiative will be showcased at the upcoming Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), scheduled for 17–19 September. The Expo will serve as a platform to spotlight Malaysia’s smart city transformation and foster collaboration among city leaders, innovators, and digital solution providers.
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Issued by:
Ministry of Digital.
