Budget 2025 will empower the Digital Ministry to lead digital transformation efforts - Gobind

PUTRAJAYA - Initiatives in the Budget 2025 will empower the Digital Ministry to lead digital transformation efforts, create an efficient and secure national digital ecosystem, boost the country’s cyber-economy and bridge the socio-economic gap among Malaysians.

In welcoming the tabling of the national budget, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the government’s concern expressed through the budget reflects its dedication to the well-being and prosperity of the people.

He said the RM1.3 billion allocation for the ministry would aid its efforts to meet and exceed its target of having the digital economy contribute 25.5 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP) by next year.

"This allocation is for efforts to stimulate new technological innovation, including artificial intelligence (AI) and strengthen the country’s digital economy,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Gobind said RM10 million from the budget allocation will go towards establishing the National AI Office (NAIO), which aims to improve the use of AI technology through collaboration with academia and industry.

He also welcomed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s announcement on the establishment of the ASEAN AI Safe Network, which seeks to consolidate the expertise and aspects of AI security.

The minister further applauded the financial allocations to other ministries, which aim to encourage and strengthen the digital ecosystem and new technologies.

Among the announcements made by Anwar, who is also Finance Minister yesterday, are the full implementation of e-invoicing from July 1, 2025, the allocation of RM50 million for AI learning to all research universities, and the allocation to the National Cyber ​​Security Agency (NACSA) for additional posts. - BERNAMA