He cuts a commanding figure, armed with stamina and zest, as he braces for a typical day packed with meetings and programmes.
That’s the life of Gobind Singh Deo ever since he started work as Malaysia’s first Digital Minister on Dec 12, 2023. A household name due to his legal prowess, Gobind’s appointment caught some by surprise during the early days.
Some have also been left confused over the roles played by his ministry and its agencies, where initiatives seem to overlap with other ministries, such as the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry; Communications Ministry; and the Economy Ministry.
Twelve months on, it is pretty obvious why the Dr Martens, British rock lover was deemed to be the best man for the job. His legal background and previous stint as the Communications and Multimedia Minister were good enough reasons to get him to lay the foundation to accelerate Malaysia’s digital journey.
As he quipped at the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Office on Dec 12, the Digital Ministry is basically a ‘start-up’ ministry. The DAP stalwart started from scratch – from sorting out his ministry’s office to assembling his team. Joining him in team Kementerian Digital is his deputy, Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, and the ministry’s secretary-general Fabian Bigar, who replaced the first secretary-general Datuk Rodzi Md Saad on June 24.
Gobind paid credit to those around him on Thursday, saying “the ministry was not built by me alone. It was a team effort”. At the same event, he also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for entrusting him with the role, adding: “I remember reaching out to him (Anwar) and immediately, things were done. I must thank you, Prime Minister”.
But Gobind & Co. were forced to shift into fifth gear the minute they clocked in. Their world was fast-paced, pretty much the way he walked. From amending the Personal Data Protection Act 2010, to introducing the Cyber Security Act 2024, and launching the National Artificial Intelligence Office on Thursday (Dec 12), followed by the tabling of the Data Sharing Bill which was passed at the Dewan Rakyat later in the evening – it has been a tiring but fulfilling journey.
Other notable initiatives include ‘AI untuk Rakyat‘, a self-learning online platform aimed at educating people about the ever-evolving AI, which has seen the participation of over 1 million Malaysians since it was introduced in January this year.
The Damansara MP, however, doesn’t have the luxury to indulge in chest-thumping, and neither does he have the ability to pull the handbrake. He oversees a sphere where there are constantly new technological advancements, and threats, almost on a daily basis. He knows there’s more to be done.
Gobind’s message of I.C.T – that stands for infrastructure, cyber resilience, and talent – has been rather consistent throughout the year. These are the three key pillars of his ministry in ensuring Malaysia capitalises on its thriving digital economy, one that is projected to contribute 25.5 per cent to the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) by the end of 2025. The World Economic Forum predicts Asean’s digital economy will hit USD2 trillion by 2030.
Malaysia’s strategic location, clear policies, and its digital-first approach have attracted billions in Ringgit in investments from tech giants such as Microsoft, Google, and Oracle. The economic spillover is expected to be seen in various sectors, including construction, with the establishment of new data centres and other facilities. Such digital investments are expected to encourage homegrown companies to expand their businesses.
Moving into 2025 brings about new challenges, and opportunities. Malaysia will assume the Asean chair next year. The nation will lead numerous conversations, including that of digital inclusion. This is in line with the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”.
There’s also the hosting of the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur scheduled in September 2025. Malaysia will be the first nation in the region to host the expo.
As AI will continue to dominate 2025, it is only natural for the Digital Ministry to keep working on attracting tech giants to invest in data and cloud centres, while encouraging micro data centres to be built nationwide. This is to ensure no one is left behind, thanks to the possible job creation and a plethora of economic opportunities. Striking partnerships with the private sector is key in filling the gaps.
The ecosystem around data centres will also spur the local economies, uplifting the wellbeing of the rakyat while strengthening Malaysia’s position as the region’s digital hub.
The ministry is also expected to keep close tabs on digital creators and those in the animation scene – a sector that has contributed significantly to the nation’s digital economy.
As Gobind said recently, AI will impact all sectors – from health to agriculture and education. What is equally important is to encourage new thinking.
“You need to understand how powerful it is. You need to be able to use it, to improve, to build around you, and to subsequently contribute to the nation. There is a need for us to shift in the way we think,” Gobind added.
“Let us accept the fact that AI will change everything, technology will change everything. We must be prepared to do what it takes so that we lead in this area as well.
“So Malaysia, let us together rise. The future is now.”
Happy first anniversary, Digital Ministry. Now to gear up for a massive year ahead.
