AGP Executive Report

Digital Skills Push: Malaysia launched the Digital Rakyat Portal to support its AI Nation 2030 push, using a 3A model—Awareness, Access and Adoption—to funnel citizens into structured AI learning and practical tools. Food Safety Digitalisation: Malaysia joined APFRAS to strengthen regional food safety governance via digitalisation, including harmonising rules for new food innovations and biodegradable packaging. Renewables & Local Industry: Malaysia renewed its 10-year energy efficiency plan to cut energy demand and CO2-equivalent emissions, as the country also advances a 2026 FiT e-bidding push expected to drive RM4.3b investment and thousands of jobs through biogas, biomass and small hydropower. Space for All: MYSA says space tech should be made accessible beyond rockets—highlighting everyday uses like communications, navigation and remote sensing. Semiconductor Ambition: Siemens points to Malaysia’s semiconductor bet: moving from assembly and test toward chip design, but still facing a narrow path ahead. AI at Work Friction: Workday research warns ASEAN employees lose hours each week switching between disconnected AI tools and enterprise systems, slowing real productivity gains. MY Tech Ecosystem: DayOne Data Centers filed confidentially for a US IPO targeting about $5b, with expansion plans across Asia including Malaysia. Local Tech in Action: BMW Group Malaysia and UM installed solar-powered smartphone chargers using second-life EV batteries, turning lab research into campus and rural energy use. Biosecurity & Farming Debate: Farmers and environmental groups urged Malaysia’s biosafety board to reject a GMO rice field trial in Perak, citing contamination, glyphosate concerns and weak farmer compensation protections.

Aviation Safety in Focus: Malaysia is set to host APASS 2027 in Kuala Lumpur (7–9 Sept 2027), bringing airlines, regulators and tech partners together under “Shaping the Future of Safe Aviation,” with sessions spanning flight operations, engineering and maintenance, and cabin safety. Robotics Talent Boost: A Malaysian team of 92 students won five medals at the 23rd Robot Challenge World Championship in Beijing, improving from last year’s two medals and highlighting growing youth robotics capability. AI for Government Services: Putrajaya is integrating agentic AI into the MyGOV Malaysia app, aiming to move from a service portal to a proactive digital assistant that can guide users and help complete transactions with proper permissions. EV Charging Reality Check: JomChargeX launches megawatt-class DC charging (up to 1,200 kW), but most Malaysian EVs are limited by their onboard voltage/charging caps—so the “fastest” headline won’t translate for many drivers. STEM Pipeline in Penang: The Economy Ministry will fund a RM12.3m Penang STEM Talent Pilot Project to reach 100,000 students by 2030, with tracks from AI and robotics exposure to technical skills. Semiconductor Supply Chain Lift: Bursa Malaysia’s tech rally lifted the Technology Index to a two-year high, with SkyeChip and NationGate in the spotlight as AI semiconductor supply-chain developments attract investors. Space Skills for TVET: MYSA says TVET should expand beyond aerospace-only training to include satellite development, testing, operations and space support systems. Cross-border Payments Rules: RTP and FedNow are loosening participation and intermediary rules to better support international payments—small steps toward faster, more connected cross-border rails. Cybersecurity Warning: iOS exploit chains Coruna and DarkSword are spreading beyond elite actors, with thousands of domains reportedly hosting variants, making proliferation a growing risk.

Digital Connectivity: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil says JENDELA Phase II will test direct-to-device satellite internet in Sabah (plus Sarawak and Peninsular), aiming to bring satellite links straight to mobile phones for remote areas. Housing Tech & Data: KPKT says it has resolved 1,647 “sick” and abandoned private housing projects worth RM153bil, and the new National Housing Policy (DRN 2026-2035) will start data-driven planning from next year to cut future unsold homes. STEM Pipeline: Penang’s STEM Talent Pilot gets RM12.3m over four years to reach 100,000 students by 2030, with streams from primary to upper secondary including AI and technical skills. Space Skills: MYSA wants TVET programmes to add space technology modules beyond aerospace, covering satellite development, testing, operations and support systems. E&E Supply Chain: MITI will keep strengthening Malaysia’s electrical and electronics sector, including semiconductor assembly/testing/packaging, while tightening export control compliance. AI in Finance: HSBC/Ipsos finds Malaysia leads on AI adoption in finance (85%), with many investors still preferring human oversight. Cyber Safety: A warning highlights remote-access scams that trick users into installing tools to take over phones and drain funds. AI + Infrastructure Deal: Blue Cloud Softech Solutions signs a $150m SpaceX SOW for AI compute, cybersecurity and data-centre work in Malaysia/US.

AI & Media Backlash: Warner Bros. Discovery faced online backlash after an AI-generated promo for “The End of Oak Street” drew criticism on social media. Energy Execution Gap: Wood Mackenzie says Southeast Asia will deliver under one-third of planned gas-fired power capacity by 2030, citing fuel, turbine, financing and infrastructure bottlenecks. Cyber-Physical Security: A new ANU report warns submarine cables across the Indo-Pacific face growing attack risks, urging better monitoring and faster repair readiness. Malaysia Data-Centre Cooling: MPOB unveiled Sawit EcoTherm, a palm-based immersion cooling fluid aimed at cutting data-centre water use and energy demand. EV Momentum: Malaysia’s EV registrations jumped 148.5% in July 2026, with Proton e.MAS 5 leading. AI in Vehicle Inspection: Puspakom launched Malaysia’s first AI-assisted undercarriage inspection, cutting inspection time by about 90% while keeping final pass/fail decisions with human examiners. Digital Finance: BNPL provider Ovanti eyes a Malaysia relaunch as the sector rebounds. Local Tech Ecosystem: Lenovo listed a new ThinkCentre Neo 50q Gen 7 mini PC for Malaysia with Intel Wildcat Lake and up to 32GB DDR5. Startup Funding: Fabulate raised $4.5m, valuing it at $84.5m, and highlighted expansion across Malaysia and the wider APAC region.

Data Centres & Water Tech: MPOB’s Sawit EcoTherm turns palm-based immersion cooling into a water-free, closed-loop approach that could cut data-centre water use and energy demand. Transport Safety Tech: Puspakom rolled out Malaysia’s first AI-assisted undercarriage inspection, cutting commercial-vehicle inspection time by nearly 90% while keeping final pass/fail decisions with human examiners. Smart Agriculture: The agriculture department launched the Smart Irrigation Monitoring System (SIMS), using FAO crop-water calculations to generate irrigation schedules and a 14-day forecast for registered farmers. Digital Finance & Fintech: Malaysia’s push for Shariah-compliant digital finance gained momentum, while Nimbura added upgrades to its 24-hour online loan application and processing flow. AI in Public Services & Infrastructure: Works Ministry is eyeing a bigger Budget 2027 allocation and plans “smart highways” using AI, CCTV, smart lanes and the TuJu navigation app. STEM & Research Talent: 88 Captains awarded over RM1m in scholarships and linked academia-industry via AIRU; Malaysia also appears in regional science news, including nuclear olympiad participation. Education & Heritage Tech: MOE plans to seek UNESCO recognition for Gendang 24 Perayaan, including a Train-the-Trainers push for schools. Regional Security Cooperation: Malaysia and Cambodia discussed expanding defence cooperation, including AI and drone capacity building for the defence sector.

AI Safety & Trust: Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo urged Malaysia to run safety and security checks before deploying AI and robotics, warning users to verify accuracy and rely on fail-safe controls. Cybercrime & Scams: A crime prevention expert said Malaysia logged 66,000+ online scam cases last year with losses around RM2.97bil, driven by AI-enabled social engineering. Education & Drones: Education Minister Fadhlina challenged Setapak Vocational College students to propose drone-based campus security ideas, while another expert warned teacher workload can harm mental health and classroom quality. Defence & Infrastructure: MINDEF pushed for better MAF organisational structure, career progression and allowances, and KKR is preparing for Budget 2027 with “smart highways” using AI, CCTV, smart lanes and the TuJu navigation app. Agrifood Innovation: MAHA 2026 will spotlight commercialising agrifood innovations, and shrimp import talks with Thailand are near a mid-August resolution after Malaysia suspended five species from June 1. Health & Nutrition: Lifestyle medicine was called for primary care to tackle rising Type 2 diabetes, and a child stunting programme in Puchong highlighted early nutrition monitoring. Tech Consumer News: Xiaomi launched the Redmi 17 series in Malaysia with a 7,500mAh battery, starting from RM669.

AI Safety in Schools & Public Use: Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo urged safety and security checks before deploying new tech like robotics and Large Language Models, warning users to verify AI outputs and ensure fail-safes. Cybercrime Alert: Malaysia logged over 66,000 online scam cases last year with losses around RM2.97b, as experts say syndicates increasingly use AI and social engineering. Drone-Enabled Campus Security: Education Minister Fadhlina challenged Setapak Vocational College students to propose drone-based security improvements within a month, building on a Malaysia–South Korea education collaboration. Defence & AI Cooperation: Malaysia and Cambodia moved to finalise a defence cooperation MoU and expand collaboration in areas including jungle warfare, defence industry and AI. Health Tech for Diabetes Prevention: The Malaysian Society of Lifestyle Medicine called for structured lifestyle medicine training in primary care to tackle rising Type 2 diabetes diagnoses, including among younger Malaysians. Enterprise AI Award: WhiteGator.AI won a Best AI Innovation Company award in Kuala Lumpur for its secure, governed enterprise AI suite. STEM & Creative Tech Events: SIGGRAPH Asia 2026 registration opened for KL (Dec 1–4), while USM’s SAFE-GAS smart hazardous gas control system helped it sweep multiple innovation awards at KIK Convention 2026. Agritech Policy Update: Malaysia expects a resolution on Thailand shrimp import issues by mid-August, as MAHA 2026 spotlights innovation and modernisation in agriculture.

Drones for Campus Security: Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek challenged Setapak Vocational College students to propose, within a month, how drone tech can improve school safety, as part of a Malaysia–Seoul robotics and AI learning collaboration. Defence & Regional Security: Malaysia and Cambodia pledged to strengthen defence and security ties, including finalising a Malaysia–Cambodia Defence Cooperation MoU and pushing dialogue-led stability efforts in the region. Public Space Upgrade: KPKT’s MY Public Space initiative, with UN-Habitat, will develop safer, inclusive, resilient public spaces using international best practices. Enterprise AI Award: WhiteGator.AI won Best AI Innovation Company at an international summit in Kuala Lumpur for its Enterprise AI Transformation Suite focused on secure, governed deployment. AI Hardware Spotlight: Malaysia was named among the world’s top net exporters of AI hardware, driven by semiconductor assembly/testing strength and rising AI-linked investments. STEM Recognition: Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah launched the Women in Technology Awards 2026, opening nominations 10 Aug–5 Sep. AI Maps in Malaysia: Google is rolling out Ask Maps in Malaysia, adding Gemini-powered conversational search inside Google Maps. Road Safety Pilot: MIROS started a three-month trial of minimum advisory speed recommendations to reduce lane hogging on selected highways. Startup Ecosystem Push: Malaysia steps up efforts to build a world-class startup ecosystem, with more support for innovation and tech adoption.

Women in Tech Awards 2026: Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah (YTF) and MIGHT launch the Women in Technology Awards 2026, with nominations open Aug 10–Sep 5 and prizes of RM30,000 (senior) and RM15,000 (junior), culminating in an Oct 17 gala. Semiconductor & AI shift: RHB flags Malaysia’s AI-driven structural shift, citing its role as the world’s sixth-largest semiconductor exporter and rising higher-value E&E exports. Digitalising SME financing: TEKUN Nasional starts online applications for financing for the first time since its launch, aiming to cut bureaucracy and improve transparency. Enterprise 5G-A & AI push: U Mobile opens an Enterprise Innovation Platform (EIP) Hub to help firms develop and test 5G-Advanced and AI solutions on its network. AI in investigations: Malaysia’s anti-corruption forensics ramps up training to handle manipulated and AI-generated images, audio and video. Maps gets Gemini: Google brings Ask Maps to Malaysia, letting users ask conversational questions about routes, live traffic and transit delays. Public transport upgrade: Theta Edge and MRCB-Theta Edge JV win a RM3.03b contract for Mutiara Line LRT system design. Road safety trial: Miros pilots minimum advisory speed limits to curb lane hogging on selected expressway sections. Tech hardware in Malaysia: ASUS expands its ExpertBook P Series with on-device AI meeting features, while Dell launches a 43-inch 4K huddle conferencing monitor for small rooms. Trust in tech: SEA research finds online banking and digital payments are most trusted, but also most likely to be abandoned after security failures.

Smart Logistics: J&T Express Malaysia plans to install 20 smart parcel lockers at high-traffic LRT stations, starting with Kerinchi and Bangsar, to support two-way parcel collection and drop-off for about 80,000 commuters. Energy Storage Rethink: Qnetic is pushing mechanical energy storage (kinetic batteries) as a longer-life, lower-geopolitical-risk alternative to lithium-ion for grid-scale use. AI Infrastructure Push (Region): Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison launches “Zankore,” a 1GW AI compute platform backed by Ooredoo, Nvidia and Nokia, targeting 200MW in early 2027. Digital & Border Security: PDRM will expand AI and drone use for land and maritime border surveillance to reduce manpower reliance and curb smuggling and cross-border crime. Malaysia Startup Drive: KL20 2026 expands nationwide across Penang, Johor and Kuala Lumpur, adds four new focus areas (creative, digital economy, digital gaming, third sector), and aims for lasting ecosystem growth beyond rankings. STEM Talent Planning: MOSTI is using a foresight approach to align STEM talent development policies toward 2040. Innovation Showcase: Registration opens for MOSTI’s NICE 2026 (Aug 26–28, KLCC) to connect local R&D with commercialisation and market access. Cybersecurity & Trusted AI: Fahmi Fadzil urges industry to strengthen cybersecurity and adopt AI responsibly as Malaysia scales digital services. Agri-Food Cooperation: Malaysia and Hungary are deepening agricultural and food security collaboration via MARDI–MATE research links and joint working group plans.

Women in Tech Awards 2026: Yayasan Tuanku Fauziah (YTF) launched the Women in Technology Awards 2026, with nominations open Aug 10–Sept 5 and cash prizes of RM30,000 (senior) and RM15,000 (junior), backed by MIGHT. KL20 Summit Goes Multi-City: KL20 2026 expands to Penang (Sept 24), Johor (Sept 29) and Kuala Lumpur (Nov 5), adding focus on creative economy, digital economy, digital gaming and a third sector alongside green tech, agritech, manufacturing and automation. Ultra 5G for Real Sectors: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil says 5G Advanced can boost productivity in agriculture, retail and healthcare, including AI/robotics and 5G-enabled drone surveillance. Border Security Tech Push: PDRM will expand AI and drone use for land and maritime border enforcement to reduce manpower reliance and curb smuggling. STEM Talent Planning to 2040: MOSTI is using foresight to align STEM talent policy with future needs, via a Delphi-based report and town hall sessions. Data Centre Water & Planning: Selangor says data centre demand hasn’t pressured domestic water supply, citing early-stage coordination and federal DCTF screening. AI in Education: Google Malaysia and MARA will roll out 30,000 Google Workspace for Education Plus licences plus training and career certificates. Mutiara Line LRT Milestone: MRT Corp awarded a RM3.028b system turnkey contract for the Penang LRT’s Mutiara Line, advancing parallel system design. Digital Payments Upgrade: MBSB Bank Visa Debit Card-i now supports Samsung Wallet and Google Pay with tokenisation and device authentication. Cross-border Payments Tech: Maybank Singapore joins MAS BLOOM to advance tokenised cross-border settlement using regulated stablecoins. Energy & Industry: Shell greenlit Phase 3 of the Malikai deepwater development, targeting higher output from 2028. Security & Governance Watch: C4 Center urges clearer mandates and transparency for a MACC–Customs task force on port revenue leakages.

Digital Skills Push: Malaysia Digital Tour 2026 (JMD) kicks off Saturday to bring digital literacy, AI, robotics, drones and digital careers to 500,000 people across five locations, targeting students, youths, job seekers and SMEs. Defence Tech & Maritime Security: Malaysia and Vietnam will deepen defence cooperation, expanding maritime security, capability development, technology and defence-industry links as both sides tackle cyber threats and AI-driven cognitive warfare. Space Industry Focus: MYSA says Malaysia should prioritise high-value space tech components and services to grow from RM6.21b today to RM10b by 2030, leveraging E&E and aerospace strengths. Data Centre Buildout: Gamuda wins a RM1.71b contract for a hyperscale data centre in Port Dickson (start 3Q 2026, finish 2Q 2028), while BAC begins a US$150m Nilai sustainable cooling facility (phase one due end-2027). AI Governance in Courts: Former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi says AI should support decisions, not replace human judgment, and lawyers must disclose AI use in legal work. Biodiversity Research: A study on Asian oaks finds 40 of 54 species lack living backup in botanical collections, raising extinction risk for wild populations. Road Safety Risk Planning: An activist urges RXZ Members organisers to adopt full risk management planning after rising motorcycle fatalities and accidents. Local Construction Deal: Nestcon secures a RM243m Penang serviced-apartment contract (57 storeys) starting Jan 2027.

Malaysia Tech Outlook: CGS International says Malaysia’s E&E exports should keep momentum in 2H 2026, supported by the global AI investment cycle even after tech-stock corrections. AI Governance: Former Chief Justice Tun Zaki Azmi says AI should assist decisions, not replace judges, and backs disclosure rules when AI is used in legal work. Data Centre Build-Out: Gamuda wins a RM1.71b contract for a hyperscale data centre in Port Dickson, starting 3Q 2026 and targeting completion in 2Q 2028. Market Pulse: Bursa Malaysia midday trade lifts on renewed buying in technology counters as investors weigh potential US curbs on Chinese data-centre components. Payments Upgrade: Alliance Bank adds Apple Pay support for its Visa credit cards, extending mobile wallet payments for customers. Public Sector Skills: PSD opens applications for Dermasiswa B40 (DB40) 2026 for eligible 2025 SPM holders to pursue diploma studies in fields including Engineering and Technology, Science and TVET. Road Safety: A road safety activist urges a full risk management plan for the RXZ Members motorcycle gathering after a rise in fatalities and accidents. Cross-Border Tech Media: TNGlobal acquires Hong Kong’s Jumpstart Media to expand its Asia innovation media network.

Digital Knowledge Access: Malaysia’s u-Pustaka (with BERNAMA Library and Infolink Service support) is being positioned as a national digital hub, letting users access millions of e-resources and even borrow physical books via 12 consortium libraries. Water for AI/Data Centres: PETRA says seawater desalination is being explored for high-demand industries like data centres, but only after checks on site suitability, energy use, costs and public water priorities. AI Trust & Cybercrime: MACC is upgrading digital forensics after training in Italy to better detect AI-manipulated images, audio and video for court-ready authenticity. Semiconductor Talent Pipeline: UniMAP says it produces nearly 2,000 E&E and semiconductor graduates annually to support the National Semiconductor Strategy. Rare Earth Policy Watch: Malaysia is considering conditional easing of its ban on exporting unprocessed rare earths to attract investment and enable technology transfer. Low Altitude Economy Framework: CAAM is seeking public feedback (by Sept 2) on a national Low Altitude Economy framework covering UAS, AAM, AI and autonomous systems for logistics, agriculture and emergency response. EV Charging Push: Government discussions continue on an EV sales levy to help fund public charging infrastructure. Parliament & Governance: Dewan Negara passed the National Trust Fund (KWAN) Bill 2026 and the Statistics Bill 2026, aiming for tighter withdrawals discipline and a stronger national statistics framework. Education-Industry Skills: CIDB reports 270,405 youth trained under its skills programme since 2012, with TVET employability above 94%. Copyright for AI Training: Malaysia says AI training using copyrighted works requires permission under the Copyright Act 1987, with licensing/royalty arrangements to be agreed by parties.

EV Charging Funding Debate: Malaysia’s Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Johari Abdul Ghani says the government is studying a levy on every EV sold to create a dedicated fund for expanding public charging, citing RM3.3 billion in forgone tax revenue from past EV exemptions and weak charging investment by industry. Low-Altitude Aviation Framework: CAAM is inviting feedback by Sept 2 on a proposed national Low Altitude Economy framework to guide safe, secure, sustainable and commercially viable growth using UAS, advanced air mobility, AI, autonomous systems and digital connectivity. Semiconductor Talent Push: UniMAP says it is producing nearly 2,000 graduates annually for E&E and semiconductor needs, aligned with the National Semiconductor Strategy’s target of 60,000 skilled workers and engineers by 2030. Construction Skills and Tech Adoption: CIDB reports 270,405 youth trained under its skills programme (2012–2025) with TVET employability above 94%, as the sector shifts toward BIM and industrialised building systems. AI + Copyright Rules: Malaysia’s Copyright Act 1987 requires approval from copyright holders for copyrighted material used to train AI models, with licensing and royalty arrangements to be agreed by parties. Cyber/Compliance Focus: Labuan FSA urges financial institutions to adopt data-driven, risk-based compliance as digital fraud, tokenisation, stablecoins and AI-enabled services make crimes harder to trace. Tech in the spotlight (local): Gamuda showcases remote digital monitoring for thousands of trees in Penang to speed up environmental accountability using phone/laptop tracking. EV Ownership Perks: Zeekr Malaysia marks 5,000 deliveries with an up-to-eight-year extended warranty, free EV health checks, and plans to expand its fast-charging ecosystem. Policy-to-market signals: MITI says it has no official update on whether BYD will proceed with its planned Tanjung Malim investment, noting incentives depend on meeting government conditions.

BioHerbal Push: Malaysia plans to build a BioHerbal Innovation Hub in Asia, targeting RM30–50 billion in economic value over the next decade via priority medicinal plant cultivation, clinical validation, AI-assisted phytochemical discovery, genomic/metabolomic research, stronger IP protection, and export-ready halal herbal products. ESG Supplier Upskilling: WCT Holdings rolls out its ESG Queen Bee Programme to train suppliers on decarbonisation strategy and carbon reassessments, with technical support from Climate Asia/ BSD Consultancy. Education Infrastructure: Perak will complete 29 modular cabin classrooms and multipurpose halls by December (RM34.2m) to ease Standard One overcrowding, using Modular Precast System construction. Healthcare Innovation: KPJ Healthcare launches its first Orthopaedics and Rheumatology Centre of Excellence at KPJ Penang, bringing subspecialties, imaging, treatment and rehab under one roof with AI-assisted robotic joint replacement and navigation. Energy & Industry: TNB reiterates “energy sovereignty” through resilient, future-ready systems and low-carbon tech; meanwhile Press Metal moves to raise control of PMB Technology to 58.8% to pivot toward higher-margin silicon-aluminium alloy manufacturing. Rare Earths Policy: Malaysia is considering limited exports of unprocessed rare earths under strict conditions tied to investment and technology transfer.