Anwar: Malaysia must move beyond traditional manufacturing, strengthen AI capabilities

nst.com.my Oct 5, 2026

Anwar: Malaysia must move beyond traditional manufacturing, strengthen AI capabilities

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Oct 5, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged the nation to shift its economic focus from traditional manufacturing to advanced artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities during a recent policy forum. He highlighted that reliance on low‑cost, labor‑intensive production has limited growth and that AI can drive higher value‑added services, improve productivity, and position Malaysia as a regional tech hub. Anwar announced plans to increase public and private investment in AI research, establish a national AI talent pipeline, and create regulatory frameworks to support ethical AI deployment. He also called for collaboration with universities, industry players, and ASEAN partners to build a robust ecosystem. The initiative aligns with Malaysia’s broader agenda to diversify its economy and enhance competitiveness ahead of the 2027 budget cycle.

💡 Why It Matters

· By pivoting to AI, Malaysia aims to capture emerging high‑tech markets and reduce vulnerability to global manufacturing disruptions.

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