Anuar: MDEC ensures a seamless investment journey while strengthening cross-border digital investment opportunities.
PETALING JAYA: The country reached RM54.13bil in approved Malaysia Digital investments in the third quarter of 2025 (3Q25), generating 21,815 high-value jobs across 402 digital companies, says Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC).
In a statement, MDEC said investments in the nation’s digital economy showed strong continued momentum, reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a leading digital innovation hub in the Asean region and fuelling its goal of becoming an AI (artificial intelligence) nation by 2030.
“Despite cautious global investment conditions in 2025, Malaysia’s digital economy continued to pivot towards employment-intensive and high value segments, particularly in AI,” it said.
AI-related investments alone accounted for 8,328 jobs created, comprising 38% of total projected employment.
MDEC added that this is reflective of rising demand for digital professionals, data scientists, AI engineers and specialised service talent.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said the momentum signals the nation’s readiness to lead in the AI era, and to move up the value chain from being users of technology to creators of globally competitive AI solutions.
“Becoming an AI nation by 2030 requires more than innovation. It demands strong digital foundations, trusted infrastructure, skilled talent, and robust global partnerships.
“The continued inflow of high-quality digital investments into Malaysia demonstrates international confidence in our policies, our talent, and our long-term vision for responsible and inclusive AI-driven growth,” he said.
According to MDEC, the top four sources of approved digital investments were Singapore-based investors, who contributed RM25.1bil, followed by Malaysia at RM17.2bil, the United States at RM6.4bil, and China at RM3bil.
The Klang Valley remains a key centre for digital investments, with Kuala Lumpur and Selangor attracting 88% of total investments for a total of RM47.8bil, undergirded by mature infrastructure, strong talent concentration and high ecosystem readiness.
The area also accounts for almost 90% of the 19,417 digital jobs generated.
MDEC chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil noted Malaysia’s position as a preferred destination for both foreign and domestic AI investments, driven by its strategic place as a digital hub within Asean and its highly skilled local workforce.
“MDEC’s commitment to developing future-ready talent in partnership with the tech industry has created a supportive ecosystem that enables innovation, scalability, and long-term growth.
“By providing targeted incentives, proactive investor facilitation, and close policy alignment, MDEC ensures a seamless investment journey while strengthening cross-border digital investment opportunities,” he said.
The government agency added that efforts under the national Malaysia Digital strategic initiative have drawn global leaders across high-value AI technology stacks, resulting in a local ecosystem in which AI is developed responsibly, adopted widely, and empowers local companies to expand globally.
Such strategies ensure Malaysian-based companies, including those within the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone, are placed at the centre of the nation’s AI transformation.
MDEC data showed digital investments under the Malaysia Digital initiative surged by 125% in the 2Q25 to RM29.47bil from RM13.11bil in 1Q25. Digital investments in the country totalled RM163.6bil in 2024 compared to RM46.8bil in 2023.
