KUCHING: Malaysia’s declining digital competitiveness is a wake-up call for the nation to embrace artificial intelligence (AI) as a productivity driver and global economic equaliser, said Sarawak Federal Secretary, Datuk Ahmad Nadzri Mohd Hassan.
He revealed that Malaysia ranked 36th out of 67 economies in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2024, noting that the slide in digital capability mirrors the country’s fall in overall competitiveness.
“This proves digital capability is no longer peripheral, but the key determinant of national competitiveness.
“To become a high-income, globally competitive nation, Malaysia must master AI as a productivity accelerator,” he stressed when officiating at the ‘Konvensyen Pemerkasaan Produktiviti melalui AI’ at Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC) Sarawak Regional Office here today.
Ahmad Nadzri said that AI is a game changer that strengthens efficiency and accelerates innovation through automation, big data analytics and predictive insights.
“For the public sector, AI adoption is no longer optional but necessary.
“It can reduce bureaucracy, speed up approvals, strengthen policy enforcement, and enable data-driven decision-making,” he said, adding that it would allow government services to leapfrog to a higher level of transparency and responsiveness.
He also underscored the benefits for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), saying AI helps reduce costs, improve quality, and fast-track product innovation, making them more competitive in global markets.
This, he said, aligned with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MDEB) target for digital initiatives to contribute 25.5 per cent to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2025.
“At the state level, Sarawak is accelerating its transformation through the Post COVID-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030 to become a high-income, advanced economy that leverages technology for the people’s well-being,” he added.
He cautioned that integrity and cybersecurity must remain central to AI use in government.
“AI comes with great power, but with that comes great responsibility. Every adoption must be guided by accountability, cybersecurity standards and strong safeguards for personal data,” he reminded.
The convention, organised by MPC, brought together civil servants and industry players to share strategies, exchange experiences, and explore opportunities to harness AI for national productivity growth.
Ahmad Nadzri concluded by urging participants not to be passive users but active drivers of AI adoption, confident that with collective commitment, Sarawak and Malaysia could advance further in the digital era.
