Digitisation Strengthens Data Governance And National AI Aspirations

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 10 (Bernama) -- The availability and digitisation of data are the main foundations of Malaysia’s efforts to strengthen data-driven governance and realise its aspiration to become an artificial intelligence (AI) nation by 2030, said Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.

He said the country’s ability to develop an AI ecosystem depends on how extensively government data can be managed digitally and fully utilised.

“As we move towards becoming an AI nation by 2030, we need to look at data availability and ensure that data held by the government, ministries, departments and agencies is in digital form so that it can be leveraged for the development of new technologies,” he said at the launching of the Public Sector Data Digitisation Policy and the expansion of the Public Sector Data Sharing Platform (MyGDX).

Also present were Deputy Digital Minister Datuk Wilson Ugak Kumbong and the director-general of the National Digital Department, Nik Zalbiha Nik Mat.

Gobind said the policy was formulated to ensure that data across ministries, departments, and government agencies are digitised and can be used for the development of new technologies. In line with the implementation of the policy, the government is also expanding the use of the MyGDX platform to enable more comprehensive public sector data-sharing processes.

“We need to look at processes that allow data to be stored and shared securely, which is why we have the MyGDX platform,” he added.

He noted that the Data Sharing Act provides a legal framework to enable data to be digitised and shared, initially involving government agencies, with the cooperation of state governments as well. At the same time, the government is holding discussions to identify what types of data are suitable to be opened up to the private sector.

“Discussions are indeed ongoing, and the question is where the priorities lie and what needs to be done first, including determining which types of data are appropriate to be shared with the private sector,” he said.

Gobind said that the security of the MyGDX platform is being given due attention, with security standards set by the National Digital Department (JDN). He added that the data digitisation policy will apply to all ministries, departments, and government agencies as part of efforts to strengthen data-driven governance.

-- BERNAMA