KUALA LUMPUR: Menara Merdeka 118’s official launch as Malaysia’s first MD Nexus has prompted about 50 other companies to seek out the same status.
The MD Nexus recognition is led by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corp (MDEC) accredits strategic locations that are purpose built to support digital businesses, services and innovation.
PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Datuk Izwan Hasli Mohd Ibrahim said these companies include the likes of IGB Bhd
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“We will try and attract more companies to apply for this status, most of them have buildings that are still being developed, but are already in the process of applying for the status,” he said to reporters during the launch here yesterday.
According to Izwan Hasli, having Menara Merdeka 118 become the first to be given this status reflects the focus on creating a high quality, integrated environment that supports and contributes to Malaysia’s digital and economic growth.
“At the same time, the development demonstrates how a modern digital hub can coexist meaningfully with heritage, anchored by national icons such as Stadium Merdeka,” he said.
His goal was to make the building a place where multinationals establish and grow their presence, supported by a well-connected, vibrant precinct.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said more than just investments, it was important to remember that these hubs are going to help the country move into an artificial intelligence (AI)-orientated nation.
“The MD Nexus is a real pillar on how investors are going to be coming in, digital first,” he said.
“Investors will come because of how we prioritise working towards a more technologically advanced nation.
This includes the talent that we bring in as well.”
Gobind added that this was also part of the reason why his ministry will focus on the precincts within the Menara Merdeka 118 area – featuring businesses from traditional to digital.
“The surrounding area is right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. This is why we talk about this space being a hub, because it presents an opportunity for the entire area to become attractive to other countries.
“Our goal is to see more offices opening here,” he said.
Gobind said in the last two years, his ministry spent the time looking at what Malaysia needed to become an AI nation, including its infrastructure.
“So we really focused on creating institutions. For example, the establishment of the Data Commission which is now the Data Sharing Act.
“We created a data committee, which consists of representatives from all ministries, to come together so that we can understand what we need to do with data,” he said.
Another area looked at was ensuring the country had enough computing power.
Gobind said this was one of the main purposes of data centres – which have been built and are operational currently.
“We want to make sure that those data centres are also sustainable, so we now have a data centre task force that also looks at energy requirements and water requirements,” he said.
In line with all the other efforts, Gobind said for the next six months, his ministry will focus on six main areas to ensure that no one is left behind and every Malaysian feels the impact of technology in a positive way.
“These include healthcare, transport, agriculture, small and medium enterprises digitalisation, enforcement and government digital services.
“By focusing on these areas, we ensure that our digital ecosystem is not just growing, but is growing with purpose and precision.
“This vision is centred on transforming Malaysia into a high income nation and a regional leader in our digital economy,” he explained.
Furthermore, Gobind said his ministry will focus closely on these six areas in order to first, empower people in this sector so that they understand what technology exists.
“We want them to be able to access the technology, and ultimately, adopt the technology.
“If one is able to do these three things, and these six targeted groups of people are able to actually feel the impact of technology, that is where you’re going to see the true impact of digital transformation,” he opined.
In order to do this, there are labs that are functioning and receiving feedback directly from the relevant people within these six impact areas.
Gobind acknowledged however, it is ultimately the role of the government to push the agenda as plenty has been invested into technology already.
“There is a lot for us to learn as well but we want to build the ecosystem and make sure that we are ready for new technology as and when new technology is available so that we can use it straight away.”
Meanwhile, Knight Frank Malaysia and MDEC had jointly developed a white paper titled Malaysia as a Regional Digital Economy Gateway that amplified how Malaysia’s digital economy is entering a more selective, quality-driven phase.
According to data from that paper, between the second half of 2022 and the second half of 2025, RM342.6bil in digital investments were approved, supporting nearly 115,000 jobs, with 97% of roles classified as knowledge-intensive.
Knight Frank Malaysia group managing director, Keith Ooi, said the shift towards a more elective market was evident in how foreign digital companies establish their operating footprint.
“Building specifications and infrastructure readiness play a greater role in where digital businesses choose to locate and scale, clearer reference points under the Malaysia Digital Location Recognition framework help bring greater consistency to how suitable business premises are assessed.”
