KUCHING: Sarawak is being positioned to become a regional hub for animation and games, with the Federal Government pledging to work with the State to connect its creative industry to markets across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said Sarawak already had talents contributing across animation, film, music, games and digital content, providing a strong foundation for further development.
“The opportunity now is to build on these strengths. We want to see more ideas developed here, more IPs (intellectual properties) created and owned here, more companies growing here, and more high value jobs created here,” he said at the officiation ceremony of the Borneo Animation and Games Festival (BAGFest) 2026 at Pullman Hotel here today.
Gobind said Sarawak has an important role to play in Malaysia’s next phase of digital growth, adding that the country’s digital future could not be built in one part of the country alone.
“As we grow the digital economy, we must ensure that the opportunities it creates reach Malaysians across the country,” he said.
Gobind said Malaysia’s digital creative industry had generated more than RM92.5 billion in revenue and RM12.1 billion in exports, creating more than 11,000 high value jobs and attracting RM85.7 billion in investments.
He said Malaysian animation, games and digital content were reaching audiences globally, with homegrown IPs such as ‘Upin & Ipin’, ‘Ejen Ali’ and ‘Mechamato’ growing beyond Malaysia.
He added that Malaysian talents were also working on major international games and productions, while international companies were choosing Malaysia as a base for their operations.
“We must help build stronger Malaysian companies, create more IPs, develop highly skilled talents and help our businesses reach regional and global markets,” he said.
Gobind said strong Malaysian IPs could create new commercial opportunities, support business growth and generate highly skilled jobs.
He said the industry should therefore be viewed not only from a creative perspective but also for its economic potential.
Malaysia, he added, was on track to have its digital economy contribute 30 per cent of the nation’s gross domestic product by 2030, while creating 500,000 high value digital job opportunities over the next four years.
However, Gobind stressed that national growth must translate into opportunities at the local level through ecosystems where talent could develop and young Malaysians could build careers and businesses.
He said collaboration between the Federal and State governments was therefore important, particularly as Sarawak continued to strengthen its digital economy and develop its own capabilities.
“At the Federal level, we will continue to work alongside Sarawak to build on those strengths and connect them to opportunities across Malaysia, Southeast Asia and beyond,” he said.
Through the partnership, he said the Federal Government also wanted to support Sarawak’s ambition to strengthen its position as a regional hub for animation and games.
Gobind said BAGFest 2026 was an example of what could be achieved when both levels of government and industry worked towards a shared objective.
He also encouraged young creators attending the festival to use the platform to learn, make industry connections and showcase their capabilities.
“For our industry partners and international guests, I encourage you to look seriously at the talent and capabilities you see here in Sarawak and across Malaysia.
“Build partnerships with our companies. Work with our creators. Invest in their ideas, and help us take more Malaysian IP to the world,” he said.
