During London Tech Week, Malaysia’s Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo announced a surge in tech investment with 107 new companies approved under the Malaysia Digital framework, marking a £2.3 billion influx and signalling a strategic pivot towards AI and digital innovation in collaboration with UK firms.
Malaysia is positioning itself as a leading destination for digital innovation and investment, aiming to forge robust alliances with British technology firms. At the recent UK-Malaysia Digital Gateway Forum during London Tech Week, Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo extended an invitation for UK companies to engage in collaborative efforts to shape Malaysia’s digital landscape.
Gobind articulated a clear vision for the nation as a hub of regional innovation, underscoring the critical enablers of this ambition: world-class infrastructure, trusted data governance, and institutional trust. “Malaysia is open for innovation,” he declared, affirming the country’s readiness to accelerate the development of emerging technologies and sustainable digital growth. He highlighted the importance of these foundations in attracting high-value tech investments, a sentiment echoed in previous statements regarding Malaysia’s shift towards becoming a key player in digital transformation.
In line with this aspiration, Gobind announced significant investment progress, with 107 new companies approved under the Malaysia Digital framework during the first quarter of 2025. This influx represents a remarkable combined investment of RM13.1 billion (approximately £2.3 billion) and is anticipated to create over 4,000 new jobs over the next five years. The total approved investments under the Malaysia Digital initiative reached RM16.2 billion within just four months, which Gobind cited as evidence of strong investor confidence, particularly in sectors such as AI, data centres, and cloud services. Notably, AI companies now constitute the largest share of new digital status companies, reflecting a strategic shift toward advanced technology sectors.
Beyond immediate investments, Malaysia’s broader strategy includes significant outreach to international markets. The government has outlined plans to host notable events, such as the ASEAN Malaysia AI Summit in August 2025 and the Smart City Expo in September, inviting UK firms to play an active role in these initiatives. These forums will serve as platforms not only for showcasing Malaysia’s technological advancements but also for fostering international partnerships that drive inclusive economic growth.
Evidence of Malaysia’s growing digital economy is presented by its contribution to the national GDP, which now stands at 23%. Reports also reveal over 3,000 local startups engaged across various sectors, valued at an impressive US$46 billion and showing a dynamic growth trajectory. In 2024, Malaysia’s digital investments soared to a record RM163.6 billion, a significant increase from RM46.8 billion in the previous year, bolstered by pro-business policies and a supportive regulatory environment.
Moreover, the impending ratification of the UK’s Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is seen as a significant opportunity for both nations. This agreement will allow the UK to access the thriving ASEAN market, reinforcing the potential for collaborative digital economic advancements. The upcoming Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting at the end of June during London Tech Week is poised to be a pivotal moment for establishing new business opportunities.
In conclusion, Malaysia’s proactive approach to inviting UK tech firms illustrates its commitment to becoming a vibrant player in the global digital economy, driven by strong investment momentum and a refined focus on innovation-led growth. As the nation prepares for key events and partnerships, it is positioning itself as an attractive destination for international technology investment.
Reference Map:
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.thevibes.com/articles/business/109213/malaysia-invites-uk-tech-firms-to-help-forge-dynamic-digital-future – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.thevibes.com/articles/business/109213/malaysia-invites-uk-tech-firms-to-help-forge-dynamic-digital-future – Malaysia’s Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo, has invited British technology firms to collaborate in shaping the nation’s digital future. Speaking at the UK-Malaysia Digital Gateway Forum during London Tech Week, he highlighted Malaysia’s vision to become a regional innovation and investment hub. Gobind emphasized the country’s commitment to emerging technologies and sustainable digital growth, citing three critical enablers: world-class infrastructure, trusted data governance, and institutional trust. He also announced that 107 new companies were approved under the Malaysia Digital framework in the first quarter of 2025, representing a combined investment value of RM13.1 billion (GBP2.3 billion) and expected to generate 4,199 new jobs over the next five years. Gobind extended invitations to UK companies to participate in key upcoming events, including the ASEAN Malaysia AI Summit in August 2025 and the Smart City Expo Kuala Lumpur in September 2025.
- https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/753392 – Malaysia’s Digital Minister, Gobind Singh Deo, announced that total approved investments under the Malaysia Digital (MD) initiative reached RM16.2 billion from January to April 2025. This strong investment momentum is expected to generate almost 6,500 job opportunities and reinforce Malaysia’s position as a regional digital leader. Notably, RM9.9 billion, or more than 60%, of the total approved investment was contributed by data centres and cloud investments. From an innovation perspective, AI companies now make up the largest share of new MD status companies at 27%, followed by data centres at 23% and global business services at 11.5%. Investor confidence in Malaysia remains strong, with the top five sources of foreign direct investments being the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, and the United Kingdom.
- https://mdec.my/media-release/news-press-release/375/malaysia%E2%80%99s-digital-investments-hit-record–rm163.6-billion-in-2024 – Malaysia’s digital investments reached a record RM163.6 billion in 2024, compared to RM46.8 billion in 2023. This growth is attributed to a stable government, pro-business policies, and Malaysia’s reputation as a regional tech hub. The strong infrastructure and strategic public-private partnerships have bolstered investor confidence. A supportive regulatory framework and Malaysia’s focus on AI and quantum computing further accelerated growth, attracting high-value global investments. The top five foreign direct investment sources were Singapore (RM57 billion), the United States (RM23 billion), China (RM12 billion), Australia (RM2.6 billion), and India (RM2 billion). Investments in data centres and cloud infrastructure accounted for 76.8% of total approved digital investments in 2024, up from 55.5% in 2023. The establishment of a dedicated Data Centre Task Force aims to drive further growth while ensuring alignment with long-term sustainability goals.
- https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/04/22/digital-minister-193-companies-awarded-malaysia-digital-status-in-first-quar/130149 – In the first quarter of 2024, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) awarded Malaysia Digital Status to 193 companies. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo noted that half of these are information technology companies leveraging technologies such as blockchain, Web3, and Artificial Intelligence. He also highlighted a memorandum of understanding with Draper University to establish its first campus outside Silicon Valley in Kuala Lumpur, aiming to support venture capital and startups entering and expanding in Malaysia. Malaysia’s digital economy contributes 23% to the gross domestic product (GDP), with over 3,000 local startups operating in various sectors, including financial technology, e-commerce, health technology, and Islamic finance. The startup ecosystem is valued at US$46 billion and growing.
- https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/22/gobind-malaysia-uk-collaboration-paves-way-for-digital-economy-advancements/135836 – Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo emphasized Malaysia’s strategic collaboration with the United Kingdom in digital initiatives, aiming to advance the digital economy for both nations. He highlighted the UK’s impending ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), effective by the end of 2024, presenting a golden opportunity for the UK to access the vibrant ASEAN market. The upcoming Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting, scheduled for the end of June during London Tech Week 2024, is seen as a crucial platform to create new digital business opportunities. The partnership between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) is also viewed as a key driver in advancing bilateral trade relationships in the digital space. Since 2023, an additional 18 UK-origin companies have joined the ranks of MD companies, bringing the total to 70, including investments from ActivPayroll Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Deloitte Regional Services Center Sdn Bhd, and Smith and Nephew Services Sdn Bhd.
- https://www.marketing-interactive.com/malaysia-united-kingdom-digital-economy-advance-gobind-singh-deo – Malaysia and the United Kingdom are collaborating to advance the digital economy for both nations. Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo highlighted the UK’s impending ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), effective by the end of 2024, providing the UK with access to the vibrant ASEAN market. The upcoming Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) meeting, scheduled for the end of June during London Tech Week 2024, is seen as a crucial platform to create new digital business opportunities. The partnership between Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce (BMCC) is viewed as a key driver in advancing bilateral trade relationships in the digital space. Since 2023, an additional 18 UK-origin companies have joined the ranks of MD companies, bringing the total to 70, including investments from ActivPayroll Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Deloitte Regional Services Center Sdn Bhd, and Smith and Nephew Services Sdn Bhd.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments, including Malaysia’s invitation to UK tech firms and the announcement of significant investments. The earliest known publication date of similar content is June 11, 2023, when MDEC expected to attract billions in foreign direct investment from London Tech Week. This indicates that the core information has been previously reported, suggesting a recycled news pattern. However, the inclusion of updated data and specific figures may justify a higher freshness score. Nonetheless, the recycling of earlier material warrants a flag for potential redundancy. ([malaymail.com](https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2023/06/11/mdec-expects-to-attract-billions-of-foreign-direct-investment-from-london-tech-week-says-ceo/73765?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo, such as “Malaysia is open for innovation,” and references to significant investments, appear to be consistent with previous statements. For instance, in May 2024, Gobind emphasized the importance of Malaysia-UK collaboration for digital economy advancements. ([malaymail.com](https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2024/05/22/gobind-malaysia-uk-collaboration-paves-way-for-digital-economy-advancements/135836?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that the quotes may have been reused, indicating a lack of originality.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Vibes, a Malaysian news outlet. While it provides detailed information, the outlet’s reputation and credibility are not widely established, which may affect the reliability of the information presented. Additionally, the report includes references to other sources, such as Reuters and Malay Mail, which are more reputable. However, the reliance on a less established outlet raises concerns about the overall source reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding Malaysia’s efforts to attract UK tech firms and the announcement of significant investments align with recent developments in the region. For example, in April 2024, Malaysia announced plans to build Southeast Asia’s largest integrated circuit design park to attract global tech companies. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/malaysia-offer-incentives-attract-global-tech-companies-2024-04-22/?utm_source=openai)) These initiatives are consistent with Malaysia’s strategic goals to enhance its digital economy. However, the lack of specific details and the reliance on a single, less established source slightly diminish the plausibility score.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents recycled content with reused quotes and relies on a less established source, raising concerns about its originality and reliability. While the information aligns with known developments, the lack of new insights and the use of previously reported material suggest a failure in meeting the standards for freshness and originality.
