Malaysia’s 13th Plan Puts AI and 5G at the Heart of Digital Transformation

Malaysia’s 13th Plan prioritizes AI and 5G to drive digital transformation and smart city projects. The AI Nation Framework and new grants support innovation across various sectors.

Categorized in: AI News Government
Published on: Aug 14, 2025
Malaysia’s 13th Plan Puts AI and 5G at the Heart of Digital Transformation

Malaysia’s 13th Plan Focuses on AI and 5G for Digital Transformation

The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) highlights technology with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence (AI) as a priority to accelerate the country’s digital transformation. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo shared that this focus aligns with the government’s commitment to leveraging emerging technologies to create practical digital solutions.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has prioritized the development of the AI Nation Framework. This initiative seeks to fully utilize Malaysia’s 5G network to enable innovations such as smart city projects that make use of existing data resources.

Key Components of the 13MP

  • AI Nation Framework: A strategic blueprint to build AI-powered digital infrastructure and services.
  • Data Commission and Data Bank: Initiatives to enhance digital trust and responsible data management.
  • Smart City Development: Leveraging data and connectivity to improve urban living.

These elements work together to support Malaysia’s goal of becoming an AI-driven nation in the near future.

5G Enterprise and AI City Grant

At the recent launch of the 5G Enterprise and AI City Grant, Minister Gobind explained that this funding supports projects that integrate AI and 5G technologies to solve real-world challenges. The grant was awarded to 14 recipients, including universities, companies, and local authorities.

Projects funded cover sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, logistics, manufacturing, and education. Examples include autonomous drone corridors, AI-powered monitoring dashboards, and intelligent transport systems. Many of these solutions are designed to be scalable and replicable across different industries and regions.

Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025

The upcoming Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur 2025 (SCEKL25), scheduled for September 17–19, will showcase Malaysia’s progress in smart city initiatives. It will provide a platform for collaboration among city leaders, innovators, and digital solution providers.

The initiative is led by Digital Nasional Bhd (DNB) and the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). It complements the existing Smart Cities programme under the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, aiming to translate policy into actionable innovation at the local level.

Supporting SMEs and Public Institutions

Beyond large corporations, these initiatives focus on empowering small and medium enterprises as well as public institutions. The goal is to ensure that innovation benefits grassroots communities and creates measurable impact across Malaysia.

For government professionals interested in AI and digital transformation strategies, exploring relevant training can provide practical skills to support these initiatives. Resources such as latest AI courses offer valuable insights into AI applications and implementation.


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