SALUTATION
1. Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Abdul Rahman Ahmad
President & Group Chief Executive Officer, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB)
2. Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Ir. Ts. Izwan Hasli Mohd Ibrahim
Chief Executive Officer, PNB Merdeka Ventures (PNBMV)
3. Yang Berusaha Tuan Anuar Fariz Fadzil
Chief Executive Officer, MDEC
4. Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Tengku Abdul Aziz Tengku Mahmud
Advisor, PNB Merdeka Ventures (PNBMV)
5. Mr Keith Ooi
Group Managing Director, Knight Frank Malaysia
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Salam Perpaduan, Salam Malaysia MADANI and a very good Afternoon.
1. It is a pleasure to be here at the magnificent Merdeka 118. Standing here at Level 98, looking out over the Kuala Lumpur skyline, one cannot help but feel a sense of pride in how far we have come as a nation. I want to thank PNB Merdeka Ventures for inviting me to officiate this launch. We aren’t just here to admire a landmark; we are here to witness a significant milestone in our journey toward a digital future.
2. This launch is a clear sign that our national digitalisation agenda is moving from policy papers to reality. Merdeka 118, as Malaysia’s first MD Nexus, represents the tangible progress of our mission to weave technology into the very fabric of our economy and society.
3. The national digital agenda is a primary engine for Malaysia’s economic growth, designed to raise productivity, create high-skilled jobs, and attract the kind of quality investments that directly benefit every Malaysian.
4. To drive this vision home, we are looking at six impactful areas this year to accelerate our digital transformation. They are Healthcare, Transport, Agriculture, SME Digitalisation, Enforcement, and Government Services.
5. By focusing on these areas, we ensure that our digital ecosystem is not just growing, but is doing so with purpose and precision. 3
6. This vision is centered on transforming Malaysia into a high-income nation and a regional leader in the digital economy. At the Ministry of Digital, we are committed to ensuring this economy is resilient, inclusive, and — most importantly — future-ready.
7. Malaysia aims to become a globally competitive AI Nation by 2030. This year marks a critical transition period as we begin implementing the National AI Action Plan 2026–2030.
8. This is not just about adopting new gadgets but about building a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates infrastructure, talent, and a robust governance framework, led by the National AI Office (NAIO), to ensure Malaysia is a producer, and not just a consumer, of AI technology.
9. The MD Nexus initiative supports this by recognizing strategic locations, like Merdeka 118, that are equipped to serve as hubs for these high-value digital businesses.
Ladies & Gentlemen,
10. Digital transformation must be inclusive. Its benefits must be felt by everyone — from our largest Government-Linked Investment Companies (GLICs) to our local Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and micro-enterprises.
11. We are ensuring that digitalisation delivers for both the business sector and the Rakyat. For our businesses, we have introduced measures like the 50% tax deduction for AI and cybersecurity training to help MSMEs build digital resilience.
12. For the people, we are focused on "human-centric AI," where technology is used to make public services more accessible and efficient, ensuring that no one is left behind in this transition. Ultimately, our aim is to bridge the digital divide and uplift the well-being of every citizen.
13. While we embrace the era of Artificial Intelligence, we must also ensure our ecosystem remains trusted and secure. Strengthening cybersecurity and data protection is paramount as we move up the value chain.
14. Most importantly, digital transformation must deliver a strong return on investment (ROI), especially in boosting productivity, developing skilled talent, and attracting high-quality investments
15. With the digital economy projected to contribute 25.5% to our GDP in 2025, we are on the right track. I call upon our industry players to step forward as partners in this national development.
Distinguished Guests,
16. This year, our focus is to strengthen that momentum while ensuring that Malaysia’s digital ecosystem continues to move up the value chain. 5
17. In this spirit, I call upon more industry players to step forward as partners in national development, moving in tandem with economic shifts, accelerating technology adoption, and collectively contributing to the growth of Malaysia’s digital economy.
18. In this context, I would like to congratulate MDEC for today’s efforts, particularly in positioning Menara Merdeka 118 as Malaysia’s first MD Nexus location.
19. I would also like to congratulate PNB Merdeka Ventures on this recognition. Menara Merdeka 118 is not merely an iconic national landmark. It is a precinct with the potential to become a global focal point. As a catalytic development, it reflects a global vision to attract investment, foster collaboration and support Malaysia’s growing digital leadership.
20. With this recognition, may Merdeka 118 continue to energise economic activity, expand networks of collaboration, and serve as a meeting ground for high-value partnerships in the digital era. As Malaysia’s first MD Nexus site, it sets an important benchmark that we hope to build upon as more future ready locations are developed nationwide.
21. With this, I hereby declare Menara Merdeka 118 as Malaysia’s first MD Nexus.
Thank You.
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