The Digital Ministry is placing great emphasis on the development of digital talent through various collaborations and initiatives with technology companies and start-ups.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo told the Dewan Rakyat today that one such example was the strategic collaboration between MyDigital Corporation and 42Malaysia.
“42Malaysia will have a major impact on Malaysia’s digital landscape as it produces highly skilled and industry-ready professional digital practitioners,” said Gobind.
“Two 42Malaysia campuses have been established – one in Kuala Lumpur (42KL) in 2021 and the other in Iskandar Puteri (42IP) in September 2024. Another new campus, Penang (42PG), will be established in April 2025. 42KL is one of the first such campuses in Southeast Asia, with a network of over 25 industry players,” he said.
Responding to a question by Tuan Roslan Hashim (PN-Kulim Bandar Baharu) in the Dewan Rakyat this morning, Gobind said the programme emphasises inclusion and innovation, which will contribute to a more dynamic and competitive digital economy.
42Malaysia is a free and innovative coding institution that aims to develop Malaysia’s digital talent by providing a unique peer-to-peer learning environment. The initiative focuses on project-based learning and stresses important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration to master the digital economy.
The minister said 42Malaysia also serves as an alternative pipeline for companies looking for highly skilled tech talents.
Besides 42Malaysia, the Digital Ministry – through the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) – has trained 1,663 workers in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Among the companies involved are AWS, Google, and Microsoft. In addition, 277 students were trained using modules from AWS through the Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI) programme.
Gobind said that strong industry collaborations have resulted in direct talent placement, corporate upskilling, and innovation-driven projects.
From 2021 to 2024, a total of 250 graduates of this programme have been trained, and found employment in several key sectors, including Information Technology (IT), Fintech, and Automotive/Logistics services.
“In 2025, a total of 650 participants are expected to take part in the programme,” said Gobind.
The Digital Ministry, via the National Artificial Intelligence Office, is also working with Microsoft to train 800,000 talents in AI skills for upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce.
The ministry will also explore collaborations with other ministries to identify and launch appropriate digital programmes.
“We want to bridge the digital divide from a young age and prepare future generations with the skills needed in a high-tech world,” Gobind added.
